The review of pathophysiology, diagnostic procedures and princppecs of care for spínal trauma in critical setting is outlireed, based on the authors' long-term experience with treatment of spínal trauma patients. There is described the association between spínal trauma and other organ dysfunction, especially ventilaxion. There are stressed preventive measures focused on attenuaxion of secondary spínal cord injury.

        Key words: spínal injury - quadruplegia - secondary inzult - polytrauma