[Abdominal aorta section caused by abdominal stab wound: discussion of two cases]

Abdominal vascular lesions are generally caused by accidents (most frequently car accidents, but also falling from an altitude, etc.) or by aggression with knives and fire arms. Abdominal vascular wounds, especially those involving the aorta, cause high mortality. Many patients die on the way to the hospital due to massive blood losses, their lesions being determined only through necropsy. Mortality is increased when abdominal vascular lesions are associated with abdominal or thoracic visceral lesions. We present two cases of partial sections of the abdominal aorta caused by stab wounds: a 16-year-old male aggressed by a school-mate and a 45-year-old male who aggressed himself. We discuss the necessity of immediate surgery on patients with abdominal stab wounds in order to determine the localization and gravity of the lesions.