title: Intravenous Fluid Therapy in Traumatic Brain Injury and Decompressive Craniectomy.
abstract: The patient with head trauma is a challenge for the emergency physician and for the neurosurgeon. Currently traumatic brain injury constitutes a public health problem. Knowledge of the various supportive therapeutic strategies in the pre-hospital and pre-operative stages is essential for optimal care. The immediate rapid infusion of large volumes of crystalloids to restore blood volume and blood pressure is now the standard treatment of patients with combined traumatic brain injury (TBI) and hemorrhagic shock (HS). The fluid in patients with brain trauma and especially in patients with brain injur y is a critical issue. In this context we present a review of the literature about the history, physiology of current fluid preparations, and a discussion regarding the use of fluid therapy in traumatic brain injury and decompressive craniectomy.
authors.affiliation: University of Cartagena, Colombia, South America.
authors.forename: Hernando Raphael
authors.initials: HR
authors.lastname: Alvis-Miranda
authors.affiliation: University of Cartagena, Colombia, South America.
authors.forename: Sandra Milena
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Castellar-Leones
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, University of Cartagena, Colombia, South America.
authors.forename: Luis Rafael
authors.initials: LR
authors.lastname: Moscote-Salazar
keywords: Brain trauma; Colloid solutions; Fluid resuscitation