DAMAGE CONTROL FOR THE OBSTETRIC PATIENT

Consultation with surgery for the care of the obstetrical patient that has been involved in trauma is not an uncommon circumstance. Addition ally, the obstetrician may be laced with a case of life-threatening he morrhage and require surgical assistance. Major alterations in physiol ogy occur in association with pregnancy and lead to differences in res uscitative efforts. Although postpartum hemorrhage can be managed with pharmacologic means, surgical maneuvers are often required. Hepatic r upture and abdominal pregnancy will often require the surgeon to assis t the obstetrician in these life-threatening situations.