Combined ascending aorta rupture and left main bronchus disruption from blunt chest trauma

Abstract

After blunt chest trauma, early diagnosis of associated bronchial, vascular, and esophageal injuries must be attempted, as those lesions may be produced by the same mechanism. We report a case of successful management of associated bronchial transection and injury of the ascending aorta. Aortic repair required cardiopulmonary bypass and the use of prosthetic materials, although gross contamination of the mediastinum from the bronchial disruption is a theoretical contraindication to such a procedure. A separate approach to the vascular and airway injuries allowed successful management of both lesions.