Multi-organ trauma with rupture and Stanford type B dissection of thoracic aorta. Management sequence. Current possibilities of medical treatment.

A case of a 46-year-old car driver struck with great force by a tram through the driver's door is presented. The main trauma consisted in chest injury with multi-rib fracture along with rupture and dissection of the thoracic aorta. Immediate medical rescue actions consisted only in procedures necessary to support vital functions; the patient survived owing to being promptly transported to the Emergency Department to undergo thoracotomy and laparotomy with massive blood transfusion.