Markers of inflammation in crushing trauma of the lower limbs

20 Abstract. Crushing traumas are produced by high-energy traumatic agents and are thus characterized by severe and complex injuries, affecting all the structures of the involved limb. Vascular, bone or nerve injuries may occur, but the main characteristic of crushing is “rhabdomyolysis”destruction of the skeletal muscles. If not treated before irreversible changes appear, the necrotic muscle will endanger not only the vitality of the limb, but also the life of the patient, due to systemic toxaemia. A complex interdisciplinary approach is thus necessary in order to insure the survival and recovery of the patient. Research has been done regarding objective monitoring criteria able to guide the treatment. Certain biochemical markers have been described as useful and the authors evaluate their clinical significance in patients with crushing trauma in a Level I Trauma Centre. The results of this retrospective study support the data presented in the literature regarding the correlation between the outcome of these patients and their biochemical profile.