ABSTRACT
Trauma can be defined as an injury to any part of the human body as the result of energy transfer from an inflicting source. The forces that can lead to injury include chemical, thermal, ionising radiation and mechanical. Major trauma denotes injuries to more than one body region or organ system. In western industrialised countries, trauma accounts for the largest number of deaths and disability in children and young adults. Road traffic accidents, falls and intentional violence continue to be the most prevalent causes of trauma fatalities, with a combined rate of 64%. The Advanced Trauma Life Support system delineates an order of priorities defined by ABCD; that is, airway, breathing, circulation and disability. This hierarchy of priorities is based on the ‘time dependence’ principle. Mechanisms may be broadly classified as blunt, penetrating or even of a combined nature.
