Management of major trauma

Trauma is one of the leading cause of deaths in young adults in the UK, with a significant morbidity burden and economic impact. More significantly, is the increase in 'silver trauma' within the elderly popu-lation which now represents the typical major trauma patient. Despite the age differences, both groups have a similar injury severity and dis-tribution. In the last two decades there have been changes in both the structure of trauma care across the UK, and in clinical aspects from pre-hospital care to rehabilitation. This article will review the major trauma network, a broad overview of the immediate management of the critically ill trauma patient and the ongoing rehabilitation of these patients.