[Surgical accesses to the major mediastinal vessels in thoracic trauma]

Trauma is the most common cause of death in the economically active population and thoracic trauma is directly or indirectly responsible for one quarter of these deaths. Lesions to the large thoracic vessels are associated with immediate or early death in the hospital setting. Patients admitted alive can be classified as stable or unstable. The access route to be elected for management of these veins will depend on this status, as well as on the anatomical particularities of the patient, which may require combined incisions for adequate access. This article provides a review and discussion of lesions to these structures as well as access routes to them.