[The Würzburg polytrauma algorithm. Concept and first results of a sliding-gantry-based computer tomography diagnostic system].

Background. The purpose of this study was to show the practicability of a new algorithm in the management of polytraumatized patients based on Advanced Trauma Live Support (ATLS®) and using mobile whole body multislice CT (MMDCT) as the primary imaging system. Patients and methods. A series of 120 trauma patients referred to the Wurzburg University Hospital Trauma Emergency Room were categorized into suspected polytrauma and suspected non-polytrauma groups. The polytraumatized patients were investigated using theWurzburg polytrauma-algorithm including whole body multislice CT with a 16-row-scanner. The algorithm is described. The time for the diagnostic procedure was measured and compared with data from the Trauma Registry of the German Society ofTrauma Surgery. Results. From 120 patients 78 (66%) underwent whole body CT. The diagnostic procedure was quick with significant advantages especially for cranial and trunk diagnostics. Conclusion. TheWurzburg polytrauma algorithm worked well. There was excellent cooperation within the interdisciplinary leading team consisting of anaesthesiologists, surgeons, and radiologists. The principles of ATLS® could be respected. Mobile whole body multislice CT was an effective tool in the diagnostic evaluation of polytrauma patients.