An isolated brachiocephalic artery rupture on penetrating trauma in a 9-year-Old child - A case report

A stab or penetrating wound is one of the etiologies of chest trauma. In the case of penetrating chest trauma, assessment of probable major vascular injuries must be done. Thoracic, vascular injuries, in particular brachiocephalic rupture, require the surgeon to make swift decisions for repair as the wrong approach or incision could quickly lead to mortality.

Here, we report a case of a hemodynamically stable 9-year-old boy presenting with a stab wound by a fishing arrow. CT scan showed the fishing arrow projection at the suprasternal notch extended to the right hemithorax where the tip was near the brachiocephalic artery posterior wall. A sternotomy exploration and preservation of the proximal brachiocephalic artery, subclavian artery, and common carotid artery was done. We found a 0.5 cm rupture on the brachiocephalic truncus and performed a direct suture repair.

Through this case, we present a vascular technique repair after the major thoracic artery rupture caused by a stab or penetrating wound. The principle of artery repair is to save the proximal and distal end of the ruptured artery, followed by a further safe and precise procedure.

The overall combination of approaches of chest trauma by a penetrating wound and vascular injury like brachiocephalic rupture without pseudoaneurysm or other asymptomatic high risks of vascular injury resulted in a satisfactory evaluation. In this case, leaving the arrow undisturbed is the key to the success of the first aid management before the patient is sent to the operating room.