Diagnosis and management of major trauma.
A regional trauma system involving trained hospital teams as well as physician-manned ambulances and helicopters has been established in Norway. Emphasis is on written guidelines and the continuous evaluation of the results. A grading system of injury severity is used. Despite major advances in the initial treatment of shock and major trauma, posttraumatic pulmonary insufficiency still represents a problem. Our results indicate a beneficial effect of the early prophylactic use of high-dose corticosteroids in major chest trauma. The use of three doses of methylprednisolone was not associated with any increased risk of infection.
Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Rikshospitalet, Oslo, Norway.
J L
JL
Svennevig
D006470:Hemorrhage / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D008775:Methylprednisolone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009664:Norway; D012128:Respiratory Distress Syndrome / Q000628:therapy; D013898:Thoracic Injuries / Q000188:drug therapy; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy*
D008775:Methylprednisolone