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Dr. Reed analyzed 51 cases of blunt thoracic aortic trauma treated at University Hospital--including the severity of accompanying injuries, time from trauma to repair, surgical method (open versus endovascular) and survival outcomes. Of the 24 patients who made it to the operating room, 13 (54 percent) were stabilized and then had successful delayed endovascular repair. Nine patients (38 percent) had immediate open repair, one of whom died during the procedure. Two patients (8 percent) had delayed open repair.

This data suggests that in some cases it is better to wait and repair the thoracic aortic injury with the minimally invasive (endovascular) technique, says Dr. Reed.

"If surgeons can take care of other injuries--such a bleeding liver or serious head injury--first and then safely address the thoracic aortic trauma injury when the patient is stabilized, there will be a better chance of surviving," she says.

This approach also allows the surgeon to gather the ideal equipment and team to fix the injury.

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Contact: Amanda Harper
amanda.harper@uc.edu
513-558-4657
University of Cincinnati
13-Apr-2006