[Recommendations for emergency strategies in crush trauma]

In a retrospective study conducted from 1.1. 1988-31.12.1991, we at our rescue helicopter station "Christoph 22" identified the special circumstances, which arise for the trauma anaesthesiologist during prehospital treatment of entrapped trauma patients. During the time frame of our study, we observed a continuous increase of patients suffering an entrapment trauma (from 8.3% to 15.9%). Motor vehicle accidents were the primary cause of entrapment (78.4%). Patients with an entrapment trauma in comparison to those without, to a much higher degree suffered more severe injuries (proportion of multi-system trauma: 49.4% versus 26%). Upon arrival of the trauma anaesthesiologist at the scene, the vital functions in the majority of the cases were already disturbed and unstable. The emergency medical measures required at the emergency scene therefore had to be timely and to the point and taken in close coordination with the technical rescue team. The proven procedures which we apply in such cases will be illustrated. Hospital of preference should, if possible, always be a trauma center.