The multiply injured patient

Management of the multiply injured patient requires a co-ordinated multi-disciplinary approach in order to optimise patient outcomes. With most acute hospitals receiving at least one multiple trauma case per week it is highly likely that a foundation doctor will be involved in the care of these patients, either in the acute resuscitation phase or following surgery. A working knowledge of the sort of problems these patients encounter is therefore vital to ensure that life-threatening injuries are recognised and treated in a timely fashion and that more minor associated injuries are not forgotten. This article outlines the management of polytrauma patients using the Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS) principles and highlights the areas of specific involvement from the musculoskeletal team.