Management and outcomes of blunt and penetrating traumatic aortic injuries in children.

Our study reviewed the management and outcomes of pediatric aortic injuries at our institution. Patients ≤18 years old with traumatic aortic injuries (2010-2023) were identified after retrospective review of a Level 1 trauma center registry. Of 16 patients (mean age, 13.3 years), the majority suffered blunt mechanism (62.5%) and were managed by endovascular repair, open repair, resuscitative thoracotomy, or anticoagulation alone. Penetrating injuries underwent endovascular repair or attempted open repair via exploratory laparotomy and/or resuscitative thoracotomy. Mortalities occurred <24 hours from presentation. Operative and endovascular repair had no complications at follow-up and was associated with excellent long-term outcomes.