Report of 37 patients with traumatic rupture of the thoracic aorta

The records of 37 patients with ruptured thoracic aorta were reviewed. Twenty-six were operated on, and 11 died before they could reach the operating room. Three patients died in the postoperative period: one of massive pulmonary contusion, one of pulmonary insufficiency secondary to fat emboli, and one of massive central nervous system damage. The operative complication of most concern was the anterior spinal syndrome, which occurred in three patients. Twenty-three patients survived with no sequelae from their aortic injury.