The Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Vol 84, 392-397, Copyright © 1982 by The American Association for Thoracic Surgery and The Western Thoracic Surgical Association
Traumatic avulsion of the innominate and left carotid arteries: successful repair
JA Wernly, CD Campbell and RL Replogle
Traumatic rupture of the aorta or the arch vessels is a rare and frequently
fatal injury. This lesion should be considered in all cases of severe chest
trauma. Early aortography is essential for accurate diagnosis. Nineteen
cases of avulsion of the innominate artery have been previously reported.
In only two of them a second aortic arch branch had an associated injury.
The case presented here is the first successful repair of a combined
avulsion of both the innominate and the carotid arteries from the aortic
arch. Cerebral circulation was maintained during the operation with a
heparin-coated shunt from the ascending aorta to the right common carotid
artery. Reconstruction was accomplished by inserting a bifurcated Dacron
prosthesis from the aorta to the innominate and left carotid arteries. The
use of a heparin- bonded shunt maintained cerebral perfusion, and greatly
simplified the operation and avoided the risk of extracorporeal circulation
and systemic anticoagulation in a patient with multiple trauma.