Trauma anesthesia and critical care: the concept and rationale for a new subspecialty.

Proper care of the severely injured patient will require the development of a new anesthesia specialist. The trauma anesthesiologist, like the cardiovascular anesthesiologist, must become thoroughly familiar with one disease. The anesthesiologist who manages patients with traumatic disease must become an expert in critical care, high-risk anesthesia practice, and emergency resuscitation of the trauma patient. An outline for a fellowship in trauma anesthesia and critical care is included.