Rupture or laceration of the aorta is a more common result of nonpenetrating traumatic injury than is generally appreciated. Approximately 15 per cent of individuals with traumatic rupture survive temporarily. If the lesion is promptly diagnosed appropriate surgical treatment may be life-saving. Diagnosis may be difficult and at times the rupture may remain clinically silent for variable periods. The natural course from aortic rupture to false aneurysm formation with secondary rupture of the aneurysm may be brief or extend over many years. Surgical treatment of a false aneurysm that has remained stable for a prolonged period has been successful, but in some instances conservative management may be the treatment of choice.