Current Therapy of Trauma and Surgical Critical Care

Oxygen transport

The primary role of the cardiorespiratory system is to match the metabolic needs of the cells comprising the tissues of the body by delivering adequate amounts of oxygen (O 2 ) to meet metabolic requirements and to remove excess carbon…

Genomics of profound shock and trauma

Unlike many disease processes, trauma affects patients of every age group and from all demographics. It is a leading cause of death worldwide, particularly in those less than 45 years of age, and can result in devastating disability among survivors.…

Microbiome and trauma

Over the past decade, the human microbiome has been discovered to be a major factor in human health and disease. The human microbiome consists of complex communities of bacteria and microorganisms that inhabit the human body including viruses, fungi, protozoa,…

Common errors in trauma care

Errors in management occur frequently in medicine. A notable Institute of Medicine report estimated that 44,000 to 98,000 deaths each year were caused by medical errors. Most of these medical and surgical errors occur in low-intensity, nonemergent scenarios. Obviously, trauma…

Soft tissue infections

The skin is the largest organ of the body and acts as a structural barrier to invasion by microbes. Skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs) vary from minor to life-threatening. These infections may involve the epidermis, dermis, subcutaneous tissue, deep…

Burns

The frequency of burn injury and its subsequent multisystem effects make the treatment of burn patients a commonly encountered management challenge for the trauma/critical care surgeon. The emergency surgery components of initial burn care include fluid resuscitation and ventilatory support,…

Trauma in our “elders”

The year 2030 marks a turning point for the US population. In 2030, all baby boomers (born 1946 to 1964) will be older than 65 years of age. One in every five Americans will be of retirement age ( Fig.…