Abstract

During a 12 year period, 79 patients with a diagnosis of a penetrating wound to the suprarenal aorta were treated. An analysis of the records of these patients has led to the following conclusions: With a midline penetrating wound and presence of a supramesocolic hematoma or hemorrhage, injury to the suprarenal aorta should be suspected. If a midline supramesocolic hematoma is present or if hemorrhage can be controlled by direct pressure, a lateral approach with medial mobilization of the intraabdominal viscera on the left side allows rapid vascular control. Although lateral aortorrhaphy is preferred, patch grafting, and end-to-end anastomosis, or insertion of a prosthetic graft was required in 46 percent of the patients who underwent repair. As in all previous series, the insertion of synthetic patches or prostheses was not complicated by infection. The average survival rate for injuries to the suprarenal aorta in series reported since 1974 is 33 percent. Finally, the continuing problem of irreversible shock suggests the need for rapid transport from the field to the hospital for victims of penetrating wounds to the abdomen.