Nutritional management of a polytrauma patient in an intensive care unit

A 32-year-old male was admitted to hospital with multiple injuries following a quadbike accident. Treatment of the patient included a left arm amputation, a right hemicolectomy and end ileostomy, and the orthopaedic management of a left femur fracture and degloving injury. The patient subsequently spent eight weeks in the intensive care unit, developing a series of complications including acute kidney injury, multiple electrolyte abnormalities, pneumonia and prolonged feed intolerance. Nutritional management required several restrictions and achieving goal nutrition was difficult. A suspected diagnosis of superior mesenteric artery syndrome was not confirmed but provided an interesting new aspect to intensive care nutrition at this facility.