[Principles of therapy and priorities in polytrauma (author's transl)]

Immediate assessment of severe injuries, and instant, effective therapy are the fundamentals of getting good results in the emergency management of trauma victims. A schedule for, if possible, early fracture fixation in multiply traumatized patients is recommended to avoid acute complications and irreversible lesions. Yet cautious and individual timing of internal fixation is mandatory especially in seriously injured patients with concomitant severe cranio-cerebral trauma and long-lasting unconsciousness.