Trauma Laparotomy in the UK: A Prospective National Service Evaluation.

Background: Trauma patients requiring abdominal operation have considerable morbidity and mortality, yet no specific quality indicators are measured in the trauma systems of the UK. The aims of this study were to describe the characteristics and outcomes of patients undergoing emergency abdominal operation and key processes of care.

Study Design: A prospective multicenter service evaluation was conducted within all of the major trauma centers in the UK.

A large ventricular septal defect complicating resuscitation after blunt trauma.

A young adult pedestrian was admitted to hospital after being hit by a car. On arrival to the Accident and Emergency Department, the patient was tachycardic, hypotensive, hypoxic, and acidotic with a Glasgow Coma Scale of 3. Despite initial interventions, the patient remained persistently hypotensive.