The Poly-Traumatized Patient with Fractures

This guide provides practical information on the care of patients with blunt injuries that will be invaluable for emergency personnel, trauma surgeons, orthopaedic traumatologists, and anesthesiologists. The management of both truncal injuries (head, chest, abdomen) and fractures of the extremities, the pelvis, and the spine is covered in a condensed fashion, emphasizing key information. Care is taken to highlight associated injuries that may alter the decision making in patients with polytrauma.

The new, revised edition takes full account of three major changes that have occurred in recent years. First, the increasing economic pressure on health care systems is impacting on the care of trauma patients. Second, there have been significant changes in trauma systems and the related education, in that while the United States appears to be approaching the European system, with the addition of a “generalist” education, some European countries are copying the hyperspecialization practiced in North America. Finally, there is a need to address the consequences of improved survival of polytrauma patients by focusing on the physical and psychological long-term sequelae of major injuries. Accordingly, post-traumatic stress disorder is discussed in depth in this new edition.