Complications of pediatric trauma: effects on pediatric trauma anesthesia

Pediatric trauma is a significant problem worldwide. The complications of pediatric trauma affect the emergency medical services provider, emergency physician, trauma surgeon, and anesthesiologist in different and challenging ways. Children have unique airway concerns, and require distinctive and safe approaches to protection of the airway. Moreover, the resuscitation of infants, children, and adolescents involved in trauma is complex and can be stressful for many caregivers. Therefore, the provision of anesthesia for acute pediatric trauma requires a synthesis of the usual issues of pediatric anesthesia with the overlying complications of trauma to effect an ideal anesthetic technique for each patient.