[The problem of the polytraumatized patient (author's transl].
From 1977-79 a number of 140 patients suffering from polytrauma were in need of treatment at the Berufsgenossenschaftliche Unfallklinik Tübingen, as the degree of severity by the injuries caused acute danger of life. In all patients fractures of the extremities were found in combination to injuries of the body cavities. In 87 p.c. associated traumata of the skull, in 47 p.c. of the thorax, and in 30 p.c. of the abdomen indicated a broad variation in polytraumatized patients, which became manifest in 66 patients as a double, in 58 patients as a triple and in 16 patients as a quadruple combination of severe injuries. 25 casualties had to die involving 6 p.c. og the first, 24 p.c. of the second and 44 p.c. of the third group. Any therapy has to considerate the individual pattern of systemic lesion under concern to the vital systems of brain, breathing and circulation. Operative procedure following the classification into term of vital urgency has to distinguish among operations by urgent priority, among those of secondary urgency and treatment of choice. Early osteosynthesis can help effectively avoid complicating factors.