World Journal of Surgery
Robert Wise et al. World Journal of Surgery. Jan 2017 - DOI 10.1007/s00268-016-3865-7
Abstract:
Intravenous fluid management of trauma patients is fraught with complex decisions that are often complicated by coagulopathy and blood loss. This review discusses the fluid management in trauma patients from the perspective of the developing world. In addition, the article describes an approach to specific circumstances in trauma fluid decision-making and provides recommendations for the resource-limited environment
Conclusion:
Fluids are drugs and should be managed as such. Appropriate early fluid resuscitation in trauma patients is a challenging task. Care should be taken in selecting both the type and volume to promote appropriate perfusion and oxygen delivery, avoiding the adverse effects seen when giving too little or too much. Ongoing fluid strategies following resuscitation should incorporate dynamic markers of volume status whenever possible. All aspects of fluid administration should be incorporated into daily fluid plans, including feeding and infusions of medications. A sound knowledge of the differences and physiological consequences of specific trauma groups is essential for all practitioners delivering care for trauma patients.