Traumatic rupture of the thoracic aorta in the pediatric patient.

Traumatic rupture of the thoracic aorta is rare in pediatric patients. Proper management of this injury is essential and requires a systematic approach, similar to that used in adult patients. Preoperatively, the multiply injured child must have other injuries properly prioritized and addressed. Proper selection of graft size, expeditious intraoperative management, and careful postoperative management result in a minimal number of complications associated with this injury.