Medial visceral rotations: the Cattell-Braasch vs. the Mattox maneuvers

Abstract

In a Zone I retroperitoneal hematoma, surgical exploration is warranted. The medial visceral rotations are maneuvers used to expose retroperitoneal structures; the great vessels and their branches. The right and left medial visceral rotations are also known as the Cattell-Braasch and the Mattox maneuvers, respectively. They should be performed according to the exact anatomic location of a suspected injury. Herein, we describe and review the methodology of the maneuvers via cases of Zone I retroperito-neal hematoma.