Review

The Resuscitative Fluid Choice for Trauma Cases

10.4170/jaem.2009.01.0003

  • Mehmet ERYILMAZ
  • Murat DURUSU

Received Date: 16.06.2008 Accepted Date: 09.09.2008 Eurasian J Emerg Med 2009;8(1):13-19

Fluid resuscitation implies a holistic approach to fluid replacement in such situations where fluid replacement itself forms the basis of the treatment. Classical texts tell about which fluid and how it should be given in certain situations. Today’s continuous medical education programs in the countries following modern medicine include the topic of fluid resuscitation, and studies usually involve how and why these fluids should be used. However, information is limited in the literature regarding what these fluids are, their indications, contraindications, contents and clinical effects of these contents individually. Thus, present study aimed to review the fluids recommended for fluid resuscitation in trauma patients, their clinical characteristics and current approaches in their use. An overview is provided that includes the structure, indications of use, advantages and disadvantages of blood and blood products as resuscitative fluids, synthetic blood, isotonic and hypertonic crystalloids and colloids from the contemporary military perspective and also fluid resuscitation in coagulopathies.

Keywords: Resuscitative fluids, Trauma