The pulmonary artery catheter (PAC) is a physical object creating a conundrum. Since its introduction in the 1970s, the PAC has been simultaneously hailed for its ability to provide physiologic data not easily obtainable by other means and condemned as…
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.…
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,…
Trauma is a leading cause of death for those aged 1 to 46 years and the third overall leading cause of death for all ages in the United States. Trauma accounts for nearly 10% of all deaths and 16% of…
Overview of modern forward trauma care The modern battlefield is a highly complex and deadly arena that continues to drive innovation and advancements in both civilian and military trauma care. Prior to World War I, the vast majority of battlefield…
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…
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…
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,…
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.…
The pregnant trauma patient presents significant challenges to the trauma surgeon. The physiologic changes in the mother during pregnancy represent both diagnostic and treatment dilemmas, and the need to treat two patients simultaneously may represent both clinical and emotional challenges…