Rib fracture posing risk for aortic rupture

Günal N., Zorlu E., KAPLAN T., Dural K., özpolat B.

Turkish Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, cilt.24, sa.4, ss.770-772, 2016 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier

  • Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
  • Cilt numarası: 24 Sayı: 4
  • Basım Tarihi: 2016
  • Doi Numarası: 10.5606/tgkdc.dergisi.2016.12749
  • Dergi Adı: Turkish Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery
  • Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, TR DİZİN (ULAKBİM)
  • Sayfa Sayıları: ss.770-772
  • Anahtar Kelimeler: Chest injuries, descending aorta, flail chest, rib fractures
  • Lokman Hekim Üniversitesi Adresli: Hayır

Özet

A 50-year-old female patient was referred to emergency department with findings of shortness of breath and flail chest after a traffic accident. Her chest and abdomen computed tomography scan showed left hemopneumothorax, suspicious splenic bleeding, and multiple rib fractures. The fractured edge of the left sixth rib was posing a laceration threat against the descending aorta. After diagnostic laparotomy, left thoracotomy was performed, the fractured rib edge was resected before occurrence of any aortic injury, and the flail chest was stabilized. This article aims to draw attention to the importance of early intervention in posterior rib fractures posing injury threat against aorta and explain the possible mechanism.