Surgical intensive care unit--the trauma surgery perspective

Abstract

Purpose: This review addresses and summarizes the key issues and unique specific intensive care treatment of adult patients from the trauma surgery perspective.

Materials and methods: The cornerstones of successful surgical intensive care management are fluid resuscitation, transfusion protocol and extracorporeal organ replacement therapies. The injury-type specific complications and unique pathophysiologic regulatory mechanisms of the traumatized patients influencing the critical care treatment are discussed.

Conclusions: Furthermore, the fundamental knowledge of the injury severity, understanding of the trauma mechanism, surgical treatment strategies and specific techniques of surgical intensive care are pointed out as essentials for a successful intensive care therapy.