Polytrauma
Pronunciation: pol-ee-TRAW-ma
Multiple traumatic injuries involving two or more organ systems or anatomical regions.
Full Definition
Polytrauma refers to a clinical scenario where a patient has sustained multiple traumatic injuries affecting two or more organ systems or body regions, typically with an Injury Severity Score (ISS) of 16 or greater. In orthopedic surgery, polytrauma often involves multiple skeletal injuries combined with injuries to other systems such as head, chest, or abdominal trauma. Management requires a multidisciplinary approach with careful prioritization of interventions based on life-threatening versus limb-threatening injuries, often following damage control orthopedic principles.
Usage
Usage note: One word, not hyphenated; typically defined as ISS ≥16 with multiple system involvement.
In Context
- "The polytrauma patient sustained bilateral femur fractures, pulmonary contusions, and closed head injury." — trauma surgery consultation
- "Damage control orthopedics was employed in this polytrauma case to minimize additional physiologic insult." — operative planning note