Osteosynthesis of major fractures in polytrauma

Abstract

The treatment of multiple trauma patients is subdivided into pre-hospital and hospital periods. The hospital period is divided according to diagnostic and therapeutic measures into acute, primary, secondary, and tertiary periods. In the acute period, all life-threatening injuries, e.g., severe abdominal bleeding, are treated. In the primary period, visceral injuries such as bowel rupture and fractures with vessel injuries, open fractures, open joints, severe compartment syndromes, and closed femoral fractures require surgery. In the secondary period, prolonged joint reconstructions, closed fractures of the forearm, and partially reconstructive surgery are performed. In the tertiary period, reconstructive surgery is done (e.g., cancellous bone grafts). Using this regimen in multiple trauma patients, we not only obtain restoration of vital function, but also good restoration of the extremities is achieved. © 1983 Société Internationale de Chirurgie.