[Treatment of the polytraumatized patient in a clinic]

433 patients (mean age 33.3 years) with multiple injuries were treated from 1978 to 8/1982. Classification of the injuries was done according the S(skeleton)A(abdomen)T(thorax)scheme. The overall mortality was 18%. The cause of death were CNS-injuries in 50% of the patients. Besides CNS-injuries single and multiple organ failure were limiting the prognosis. In all cases of organ failure the lung was affected. Two patterns of multiple organ failure were found. Significant factors were shock, massive blood transfusions and abdominal trauma--but as well as errors in the treatment. Still improvement of the survival rate of the polytraumatised patients must be achieved in the future. Besides aggressive shock therapy and prevention of posttraumatic pulmonary insufficiency through earliest respiratory support we emphasize a strict strategy of treatment priorities. Based upon an intensive training especially in trauma care the surgeon will be able to recognize complications earlier and thus increase the chance of survival of the polytraumatised patient.