BLUNT INJURY OF THE ABDOMINAL-AORTA - A REVIEW

Injury to the abdominal aorta after blunt trauma occurs much less freq uently than injury to the thoracic aorta. Although presentations vary, common themes continue to emerge with each patient. Within a 6-month period, our trauma unit diagnosed and treated two cases of blunt abdom inal aortic trauma, Both patients were restrained passengers in motor vehicle crashes with resultant abdominal aortic injuries and demonstra ted some of the most common associated injuries. Our two cases bring t he number found In the literature to 62 and demonstrate the need for r apid recognition and treatment of this potentially lethal injury. This article is a comprehensive review of the management of abdominal aort ic injury from blunt trauma.