Elsevier, The Annals of Thoracic Surgery, 1(87), p. 301-303
DOI: 10.1016/j.athoracsur.2008.05.075
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Traumatic rib fractures are common and are often associated with a hemothorax or pneumothorax. Rib fractures can also be a marker of severe trauma, and aortic transection is a well-described cause of death, particularly after a deceleration injury. However, direct aortic laceration by a fractured rib segment is extremely rare. We describe the late presentation of such a case and discuss the possible mechanism of injury.