title: Approaches to trauma involving the major vessels of the thorax.
abstract: Thoracic great vessel injury accounts for a significant amount of the acute mortality rate from trauma. Early recognition permits early repair, usually best accomplished by the simplest yet most effective technique. Use of prosthetic material is encouraged. Cardiopulmonary bypass, hypothermia, and shunts are rarely required.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas.
authors.forename: K L
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Mattox
mesh_terms: D001011:Aorta / Q000293:injuries*; D001808:Blood Vessels / Q000293:injuries*; D004632:Emergency Medical Services; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital; D006801:Humans; D013898:Thoracic Injuries / Q000150:complications* / Q000601:surgery