Summary
Between 1975 and 1980, 9 patients with traumatic rupture of the thoracic aorta were
operated at our institution. All patients showed additional multiple limb and internal
organ injuries. Leading symptoms of aortic rupture were mediastinal widcning (8),
left-sided hemothorax (6), and acute aortic coarctation (2). Aortic rupture was proven
by angiography in 8 patients and during exploratory thoracotomy in another.
The time interval between trauma and operation was one to 48 hours, in 6 patients
less than 4 hours. Atrio-femoral bypass was used in 3 patients, TDMAC-heparin shunt
in 4 patients and 2 patients were operated without bypass. Prosthesis interposition
was required in 3 patients while direct suture was possible in 6 patients.
Long-term survival was achieved in 7 patients, one patient died from shock sequelae
and another had suffered inoperable multiple aortic rupture along the ascending and
transverse aorta.
It is concluded that patients with traumatic aortic rupture have a rclatively good
prognosis if diagnosis is established immediately and if surgery is feasible.
The operative result is influenced substantially by the degree of preoperative shock
and the presence of additional injuries.
Key words
Traumatic thoracic aortic rupture - Emergency surgery - Left-heart bypass - TDMAC-heparin
shunt
