Laceration of superior vena cava due to blunt trauma: successful surgical management.
Injuries of the superior vena cava are usually due to penetrating trauma. Injuries due to blunt trauma are rare. The diagnosis of superior vena caval injuries, which may be intrapericardial or extrapericardial, is usually made retrospectively. In the case described in this report the patient, a 21-year-old man, sustained an intrapericardial laceration due to blunt trauma. The patient was managed successfully by median sternotomy and immediate control of the bleeding.
D000063:Accidents, Traffic; D000328:Adult; D005121:Extremities / Q000293:injuries; D005596:Fractures, Closed / Q000150:complications; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010496:Pericardium / Q000601:surgery*; D013161:Splenic Rupture / Q000150:complications; D014683:Vena Cava, Superior / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery; D014949:Wounds, Nonpenetrating / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*