American Board of Surgery Qualifying Exam (ABS QE) Practice Test

Aortic transection is a serious complication linked to which type of fracture?

1. Scapular fracture

2. Rib fracture

3. Clavicle fracture

4. Humerus fracture

The correct answer is: Rib fracture

Aortic transection is primarily associated with injuries resulting from blunt trauma, particularly in the context of thoracic injuries. Among the options provided, rib fractures are significant because they can occur during high-kinetic energy incidents such as automotive accidents, where substantial forces can also impact the aorta. Rib fractures, especially those that are numerous or result from particular patterns of trauma, may lead to significant intrathoracic injuries. The mechanism of injury can involve the movement of the thoracic aorta relative to surrounding structures, particularly if the rib fractures are associated with flail chest or severe pulmonary contusions. When trauma occurs, the aorta can be stretched, sheared, or torn, creating the risk for transection. In contrast, scapular, clavicle, and humerus fractures generally do not involve the same type of kinetic energy transfer to the thoracic cavity and, therefore, are less likely to be directly associated with aortic transection. Scapular fractures can occur in high-energy incidents but don't usually present the same risk as rib fractures concerning aortic damage. Similarly, while clavicle and humeral fractures can be caused by traumatic events, they do not entail the kind of chest penetration or internal injury mechanisms that rib fractures do in