[A serious complication of sternal puncture: penetrating injury of the ascending thoracic aorta].
BACKGROUND
Penetrating thoracic aorta wounds are rare but responsible for a high mortality when medical and surgical management is delayed.


METHODS
We report the case of a 71 year-old patient with malignant lymphoma who sustained an accidental penetrating injury of the ascending thoracic aorta while undergoing trephine biopsy of the sternum. He was successfully treated with emergency sternotomy and aortic suture-repair.


CONCLUSIONS
This case report highlights the limits of sternal trephine biopsy, notably in patients whose bones are weakened by a malignant haematological process, and proposes preventive measures in order to avoid accidents.
Jarry
J
J
Service de chirurgie thoracique et générale, Hôpital d'Instruction des Armées Percy, Clamart.
Lang-Lazdunski
L
L
Perez
J-P
JP
Barthelemy
R
R
Berets
O
O
Jancovici
R
R
D000368:Aged; D001013:Aorta, Thoracic / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008223:Lymphoma; D008297:Male; D011677:Punctures / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013249:Sternum / Q000601:surgery*; D013536:Suture Techniques; D014656:Vascular Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods