Traumatic aortic transection associated with a L1/L2 Chance fracture

A case of traumatic aortic transection associated with a L1/L2 Chance fracture associated with the use of a lap seat belt is described. The patient also suffered life-threatening abdominal injuries which included superior mesenteric artery and vein laceration, small and large bowel injury, and traumatic separation of the rectus abdominis muscle. Thirty-seven hours after presentation, the patient underwent aortic interposition graft for terminal aortic rupture and T12–L3 posterior spinal fusion with reduction and instrumentation. This case underlines the importance of careful evaluation following thoracolumbar fractures and reminds spinal surgeons of the incidence of visceral and vascular injuries associated with the Chance fracture.