What is Trauma Surgery?
Accidents and injuries are the leading cause of death in the United States for patients under 40. When injuries are severe enough to require emergency surgery, patients may be treated by a trauma surgeon, a doctor who specializes in providing surgical help to save critically injured patients. Due to the nature of their work, trauma surgeons are most often located in emergency departments of hospitals. The specialty is closely related to emergency medicine and acute care surgery, but trauma surgery specifically focuses on surgical care needed to repair sudden and unexpected physical injuries. Some examples of the kinds of injuries and procedures that a trauma surgeon might see include:- Blunt trauma, such as a car accident or fall
- Penetrating trauma, such as a gunshot, stab wound, or deep cut
- Crushing trauma, such as some work or machinery accidents
- Severe burns
- Tracheostomy, an emergency surgery to open a blocked airway
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