Post-trauma resuscitation has evolved based on civilian and wartime experiences over the last decade. Similarly, data from large multicenter randomized trials have changed the management of critically ill trauma patients in the intensive care unit.

This is a review of the literature focusing on areas relevant to the management of trauma patients in the intensive care unit.

The following topics are included: (1) ventilator management, (2) trauma sepsis, (3) use of vasopressors in hemorrhage, (4) glucose control, (5) nutrition, and (6) hemodynamic monitoring.

This review demonstrated the most recent data of trauma-related critical care. Further studies will be needed to settle growing controversies in the management of critically injured patients.