title: Pulmonary contusions and critical care management in thoracic trauma.
abstract: Many victims of thoracic trauma require ICU care and mechanical ventilatory support. Pressure and volume-limited modes assist in the prevention of ventilator-associated lung injury. Ventilator-associated pneumonia is a significant cause of posttraumatic morbidity and mortality. Minimizing ventilator days, secretion control, early nutritional support, and patient positioning are methods to reduce the risk of pneumonia.
authors.affiliation: Southern Illinois Trauma Center, Southern Illinois University, P.O. Box 19663, Springfield, IL 62794, USA. jsutyak@siumed.edu
authors.forename: John P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Sutyak
authors.forename: Christopher D
authors.initials: CD
authors.lastname: Wohltmann
authors.forename: Jennine
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Larson
mesh_terms: D003288:Contusions / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D003422:Critical Care; D006801:Humans; D055370:Lung Injury; D012121:Respiration, Artificial / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D012128:Respiratory Distress Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D013898:Thoracic Injuries / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy