BLUNT TRAUMATIC LACERATION OF THE SUPRAHEPATIC INFERIOR VENA-CAVA PRESENTING AS ABDOMINAL-PAIN AND SHOCK IN A CHILD - A CASE-REPORT

Objective: Report of management of blunt, intrapericardial inferior vena caval injury. Design, Materials and Methods: A seven-year-old boy, after fallling from the back of a motorcycle, had a laceration of the intrapericardial, inferior vena cava with cardiac tamponade, He presented with hypotension and a distended abdomen. There was no evidence of thoracic trauma. Measurements and Main Results: Laparotomy demonstrated a tensely distended liver without intra-abdominal bleeding. Median sternotomy revealed a vena caval laceration, which was repaired. Conclusions: Increasing abdominal distention with an enlarging liver suggests traumatic laceration to the suprahepatic vena cava. Vascular repair is best accomplished by median sternotomy.