Gwinnutt C, Driscoll P (Eds): Trauma Resuscitation — The Team Approach, 2nd edition. Abingdon, Oxfordshire, UK: BIOS Scientific Publishers; 2003. 320 pp.

This is the second edition of a book first published in 1993, but it has been significantly updated so that, for the target audience, it is comprehensive and contemporary. The editors have brought together a balanced team of doctors and nurses clinically active in the field to provide a comprehensive review of trauma resuscitation. The importance of the team approach is emphasized, with the majority of the chapters being joint doctor and nurse collaborations.

It is a 320-page paperback book with 17 chapters that cover the general principles of trauma resuscitation and each of the major body systems. There are also chapters on resuscitation in paediatric patients, elderly care patients and pregnant patients, on the specific issues related to burns, hypothermia and drowning and, finally, sections on psychological issues in the resuscitation room, pain management and the transport of the trauma victim. Somewhat surprisingly there is very little on trauma scoring systems and outcome prediction and, apart from a brief section on gunshot wounds, little on trauma resulting from warfare and terrorist attacks using poisonous and toxic gases. In discussing the causes of trauma, alcohol and other drug use is discussed but no mention is made of sleep deprivation, an increasingly recognized cause of road traffic accidents and workplace accidents.

There is a standard and effective chapter format that sets out the objectives for each chapter, which provides a succinct introduction and then covers the epidemiology, anatomy and physiology, the important physical signs, relevant investigations and key aspects of management. Practical procedures are clearly described and throughout the text there is effective use of bullet points and text boxes that highlight key messages. I particularly liked the final key message in the transport chapter: 'Do not forget to return with ALL the equipment you took with you!' This emphasizes the practical nature of this book.

The references quoted are relevant, with most published within the past 5 years. There are useful website addresses at the end of each chapter and also a review of trauma websites at the beginning of the book, which I found very helpful.

Trauma Resuscitation is aimed at all members of the trauma team and will be particularly valuable to qualified nurses specializing in this area and junior doctors from a variety of backgrounds who become involved in the care of patients suffering from the many forms of trauma that present to accident and emergency departments. Indeed there are few, even consultant colleagues working with trauma patients, who would not learn something from this book.

I believe the editors' confidence that this book will help all those that read it to achieve their potential as members of the trauma team and to contribute to improved patient outcome is justified.