[Traumatic rupture of the aortic isthmus. Apropos of 31 surgically treated cases from 1976 to 1988].

The authors start by presenting a series of 31 traumatic ruptures of the thoracic aorta operated at the stage of fresh rupture between January 1976 and January 1988. These lesions were caused by sudden anteroposterior (29 cases), vertical (1 case) or lateral (1 case) deceleration. The diagnosis was most frequently suggested (by enlargement of the mediastinum in 84% of cases) and was confirmed by aortography which was readily indicated.