Advanced Trauma Life Support^® Update 2019: Management and Applications for Adults and Special Populations

As the principal operating room resuscitationists, anesthesiologists must be familiar with the principles of Advanced Trauma Life Support^®, 10th edition. This edition recommends a highly structured approach to trauma patients and endorses several advances in trauma resuscitation. There are less stringent guidelines for crystalloid administration, references to video-assisted laryngoscopy, suggested use of viscoelastic methods to guide transfusion decisions, and other changes reflecting recent advances. This article discusses trauma team approach to resuscitation, greater focus on special populations, de-emphasis of spinal immobilization in favor of restriction of spinal motion, and other updates and technical advances.