BLUNT INJURY TO THE SUPRAAORTIC ARTERIES

Background Blunt trauma causing injury to the vessels of the aortic ar ch is uncommon but may be attended by serious consequences. Most surge ons will experience only an occasional case and will need to rely on p ublished literature for guidance. Methods A Medline search over 1986-1 995 was carried out using the following keywords: brachiocephalic trun k, common carotid artery and subclavian artery; injury was used as a s ubheading. Results and Conclusion After the aortic isthmus, the innomi nate is the most commonly injured artery in the chest. Whatever the si te of an arterial lesion, however, angiography is the diagnostic test of choice. Some vascular lesions are relatively benign and may be mana ged without operation; this form of management may also be appropriate if there is severe associated neurological injury. Otherwise, operati on using an approach and technique suited to the site of the injury is advocated.