Trauma is the principal public health problem in every country regardless of the level of socio-economic development and modern trauma care. However despite its huge importance, trauma has been called the neglected disease of modern society. Incidence of trauma is increasing with the increasing incidence of road traffic accidents, industrial accidents, violence and assault. Anesthesiologists are prepared to immediate care of patients with any form and severity of injury, which may require any kind of operations regardless of the day time of night. Therefore anesthesiologists offer a unique expertise and skill set that are significantly different from those offered by other medical specialists. Objectives: To study the burden of trauma in patients presenting at casualty department of Indira Gandhi Medical College, Shimla. To study the mode, pattern of injuries and role of anesthesiologists in the management of trauma victims presenting to Indira Gandhi Medical College, Shimla. Material and method: This prospective study was conducted in Indira Gandhi Hospital, Shimla over a period of one year from 1st June 2014 to 31st May 2015. A total of 4267 trauma patients, with their hospital stay of more than twelve hours, admitted to various departments of I.G.M.C. Trivial injuries with duration of hospital stay less then twelve hours were excluded from the study. Primary and secondary survey was done by team of anaesthesiologist and surgeons and managed in golden hours. Results and conclusion: trauma is a major health hazard and due to the process of economic development and modernization, there has been a phenomenal increase in trauma. Trauma is a major cause of disability and mortality in India, but has so far lagged public awareness and is under recognized as a public health problem. The present study confirms these facts and highlights the increase in trauma and major cause of trauma in our part of the state. Under all circumstances, complete initial resuscitation and stabilization of the patient should be carried out, and before transfer, the patient should be comprehensively monitored to avoid complications during the journey.
