[Anticipated intensive care in gunshot injuries of the abdomen].

Analysis of intensive care of 345 patients with gunshot wounds permitted the development of standard protocols of such care with consideration for the visceral injuries. In wounds to the large intestine, multiple-modality treatment including hyperbaric oxygenation, extracorporeal detoxication, and intraaortic infusion of drugs is recommended irrespective of the phase of peritonitis. In injuries to the small intestine, traditional intensive care (infusion therapy, partial parenteral nutrition, prolonged epidural blocking, and antibiotics) can be sufficient. However, in both cases these methods are to be used not after manifestation of signs of disorders in the abdominal cavity, but anticipate them, and the treatment is to be based on the general regularities in the course of traumatic disease in wounded patients. Such an approach can prevent the progress of peritonitis and improve the outcome of wound.