Initial Evaluation and Management

Abstract

Multi trauma constitutes a major global problem affecting annually millions of people sustaining a substantial impact on healthcare systems. Except mortality and morbidity rates, detrimental is the socioeconomic burden on the patients with long-term or even lifetime disabilities. New concern in the past decade is the quality of life of the survivors and the return to every day modus Vivendi. Simultaneous assessment and resuscitation permitting a complete physical examination are the principles of initial management of major trauma. Prioritization of care and decision-making on the next step of treatment is crucial and can be extremely challenging even for experienced medical personnel. Time is the essential enemy of the resuscitation team since 60 % of polytrauma patients die within the first hour of hospitalization due to loss of airway, excessive blood loss, or from major injury of central nervous system, primary or secondary. Traumatic injury remains the major cause of possible preventable death in patients under 40 years.