• Eric T A Lim, Hannah S Kim, and Adib Khanafer.
• Department of Vascular, Endovascular and Transplant Surgery, Christchurch Hospital, Private Bag 4710, Christchurch, 8140, New Zealand. eric_lta@hotmail.com.
• Eur J Trauma Emerg Surg. 2024 Apr 1; 50 (2): 611615611-615.

BackgroundBlunt thoracic aortic injury (BTAI) is associated with a high mortality and is the second most common cause of death from trauma. The approach to major trauma, imaging technology and advancement in endovascular therapy have revolutionised the management of BTAI. Endovascular therapy has now become the gold standard technique replacing surgery with its high mortality and morbidity in unstable patients. We aim to assess the outcomes following management of BTAI.MethodThis is a retrospective study of all patients with BTAI between 1 January 2010 and 1 January 2022. Data were obtained from electronic health records. The grading of BTAI severity was done based on the Society of Vascular Surgery (SVS) Criteria.ResultsFifty patients were included in the study analysis. The most common cause of BTAI was due to high-speed motor vehicle accidents (MVA) (36 patients, 72%). Grade 1 and grade 3 BTAI injuries were mostly encountered in 40% and 30% of the study cohort, respectively. Twenty-three patients (46%) underwent thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR). There was no secondary aortic re-intervention, conversion to open surgery or aortic-related deaths at 30 days or at most recent follow-up.ConclusionManagement of BTAI in our centre compares well with currently published studies. Long-term studies are warranted to guide clinicians in areas of controversy in BTAI management.© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany.

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