In the U.S., trauma is the leading cause of death among children, adolescents and young adults, and is the leading cause of years of potential life lost before age 65.1 Although few physician anesthesiologists care exclusively for trauma patients, most care for trauma patients at one time or another in their clinical practice. Active participation of physician anesthesiologists in the care of the most severely injured trauma patients may improve outcome and represents another opportunity to highlight the anesthesiologist’s role as a perioperative physician.2
In the recently updated Resources for Optimal Care of the Injured Patient,3 the American College of Surgeons (ACS) emphasizes the importance of anesthesiology physicians in the management of trauma patients, not only in Level I, but also in Level II and III trauma centers. The ACS requires that in all Level I and II trauma centers, the anesthetic management of injured patients be...