Management of Thoracic Aortic Injury after Blunt Trauma: Nine Cases at a Single Medical Center

Abstract

Purpose: Traumatic aortic injuries are rare, but life threatening condition. They usually occur after high velocity impact on the chest or abdomen such as traffic accident or fall. We report the experiences of the traumatic aortic injuries at a single center.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of nine patients with aortic injury resulting from the blunt trauma from Jan. 2010 to May. 2016.

Results: The mean age was 51.1±20.8 years old, and ten (90.9%) were men. The mechanisms of injury were traffic accidents in seven patients (motorcycle accidents; 3, car accidents; 4), and four in fall injury. Most common injured sites were thoracic aorta (9, 81.8%). Aortic injuries were repaired by endovascular approach in four patients, and by open graft surgery in four. Two patients were managed conservatively. Nine patients survived without any complications.

Conclusion: We had experienced different approaches for management of aortic injuries after blunt trauma according to locations and severity of lesions.