Successful open repair of blunt traumatic thoracoabdominal aortic injury with concomitant L1/L2 fracture-dislocation.

BACKGROUND

Although rare, blunt traumatic aortic injury occurs in the aortic isthmus and rarely in the thoracoabdominal aorta.

CASE PRESENTATION: A 56-year-old man became unconscious after falling from the third floor during a suicide attempt. Computed tomography revealed a thoraco-abdominal aortic injury (pseudo-aneurysm) and a posterior dislocation fracture at L1/L2. Thoraco-abdominal aortic graft replacement was performed 3 d after the injury, and posterior spinal fusion was performed 10 d later.

CONCLUSIONS

Thoracic endovascular aortic repair is usually performed for blunt traumatic aortic injury of the aortic isthmus; however, open surgery is required for blunt traumatic aortic injury of the thoracoabdominal aorta.