title: Anesthesia for trauma.
abstract: Anesthesia of polytraumatized patients represents a considerable risk for them. The proper treatment of a polytraumatized patient comprises the rapid stabilisation of all his vital functions. At the same time, the attempt must be made to achieve a complete picture of all his injuries in order to be able to select a reliable and safe anesthetic procedure. Over and beyond this, a continuation of all intensive care measures, in particular the optimalization of blood volume, the maintenance of gas exchange, the support of the cardiac, and the balancing of the acid-base and electrolytes, is of the greatest importance for an effective treatment of the polytraumatized patient.
authors.affiliation: University Hospital Gasthuisberg, Dept. of Anesthesia, Leuven, Belgium.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Vandommele
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Van Aken
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Vandermeersch
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Van Hemelrijck
mesh_terms: D000136:Acid-Base Equilibrium; D000698:Analgesia; D000758:Anesthesia / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D009104:Multiple Trauma / Q000628:therapy*; D012151:Resuscitation