The pregnant trauma patient

Abstract

Trauma is the leading non-obstetric cause of maternal death. Optimal management of the pregnant trauma patient requires a multidisciplinary approach. The anaesthetist and critical care physician play a pivotal role in the entire continuum of fetomaternal care, from initial assessment, resuscitation and intraoperative management, to post-operative care that often involves critical care support and patient transfer. Primary goals are aggressive resuscitation of the mother and maintenance of uteroplacental perfusion and fetal oxygenation by the avoidance of hypoxia, hypotension, hypocapnia, acidosis and hypothermia. Recognizing and understanding the mechanisms of injury, the factors that may pr..