Small-volume resuscitation

Small-volume resuscitation with hypertonic saline is an attractive modality but is still at an early stage of experimental and clinical investigation. Aggressive resuscitation from traumatic, hypovolemic shock could be facilitated during the prehospital phase, but hypotension remains a physiological and beneficial compensatory mechanism to minimize active bleeding until definitive care is provided. Despite encouraging results, the author concludes that, at present, hypertonic saline cannot be considered a truly "magic potion" for resuscitation of the trauma patient.