Forty-nine patients who sustained acute traumatic rupture of the aorta at the level of the isthmus were treated in our hospital between 1976 and 1990. Four patients died before surgery and 45 patients were operated upon using a pump oxygenator partial bypass in all but 2 cases (1 clamp and sew and 1 shunt). The tear was circumferential in 33 and partial in 12 cases. Direct suture was used in the 12 partial and in 21 of the circumferential tears. A dacron tube was used in 12 patients. Hospital mortality was 3 resulting from brain damage, prolonged shock before surgery and necrosis of the colon 4 weeks after operation. No paraplegia was observed. There were 2 cases of neurological disturbance (2 spinal cord dysfunction 5 and 8 days, respectively, after surgery). These complications were transient. Among the 42 survivors, 1 was lost to follow-up. The clinical aortic status of the remaining 41 was excellent. Aortic reconstitution as assessed by digital aortic angiography was excellent in the 33 cases examined with 2 exceptions (graft stenosis, false aneurysm). Our experience and review of a large series indicate: the use of a partial bypass with pump oxygenator decreases the probability of medullary ischemia, but the risk of spinal cord ischemia is not eliminated. When intra-abdominal lesions are life-threatening, laparotomy must preceed thoracotomy. Clinical results assessed in long-term survivors are excellent, especially after direct repair.