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The role of steroids following major trauma

The Intensive Care Unit, Frenchay Hospital, Frenchay, Bristol, UK

Alexander R Manara

The Intensive Care Unit, Frenchay Hospital, Frenchay, Bristol, UK, ARM{at}frenchayanaes.demon.co.uk

This article reviews the indications and evidence for the administration of steroids to patients who have suffered significant trauma. Uncontroversial indications are rare. In spinal cord injury steroids are often given but the practical benefits are questionable. The case for treatment in head injury is unproven. Consideration should be given to treating all those patients who develop acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), although treatment should be deferred to the later (fibroproliferative) stages. The role of steroids in sepsis is complicated and, although steroid administration can have dramatic effects on vasopressor requirements, convincing evidence for mortality reduction is not available.

Key Words: trauma • steroids • neurological injury • ARDS • sepsis

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