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Anterior approach to traumatic mid aortic arch transection
Bradley G Leshnower1, Harold I Litt, Thomas G Gleason
1Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103, USA.
The Annals of Thoracic Surgery
|December 22, 2005
Summary
Blunt chest trauma can cause rare aortic arch transection. This case highlights a successful anterior surgical repair of a complete mid-aortic arch transection, a typically fatal injury.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Surgery
- Trauma Surgery
- Diagnostic Imaging
Background:
- Nonpenetrating thoracic aortic injuries are often fatal.
- Survivors of aortic transection typically present with injuries at the aortic isthmus.
Observation:
- A rare case of blunt traumatic complete transection of the mid-aortic arch was diagnosed.
- The injury occurred between the innominate and left common carotid arteries.
Findings:
- Multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) of the chest accurately diagnosed the aortic arch transection.
- The surgical repair involved an anterior approach and aortic arch replacement.
Implications:
- This case expands the understanding of traumatic aortic injuries.
- Successful surgical management of rare aortic arch transections is possible.
- MDCT is crucial for diagnosing complex aortic trauma.