[Injuries of the venae cavae]

An experience with the operative treatment of 12 patients with injured vena cava is analyzed. Traumas of the vena cava are a comparatively rare pathology characterized by catastrophic deterioration of the clinical course with the underlying massive internal hemorrhage. Injuries of the vena cava are difficult not only for preoperative but also for suboperative diagnosis. They are characterized by difficulty of surgical procedures and high percent of unfavorable outcomes due to special severity of blood loss and shock.