PubMed ID: 6623052
Sci Am. 1983 Aug;249(2):28-35.
Authors: Trunkey DD

Abstract:

Accidental and intentional injuries account for more years of life lost in the U.S. than cancer and heart disease. Among the prescribed remedies are improved preventive efforts, speedier surgery and further research.

Notes & Commentary:

Is this the most important trauma paper ever written?  This is Donald Trunkey's review of trauma epidemiology in the United States, publushed in Scientific American in 1983.  The core of the article relates in part to his paper with Baker published in 1980 describing the trimodal distribution of trauma deaths [PMID:7396078].

Why have I chosen it as the most important of all trauma papers?  This was the paper the first described trauma as a disease.  It brought together centuries of knowledge about wounds and their management into a paper that demonstrated that, if considered together, all these injuries can be described as a single disease entity, with its own epidemiology, pathophysiology, management and prognosis.  Once trauma was recognised as a disease, it would join cardiovascular disease and infectious diseases as some of the world's biggest killers.  Importantly - this is Scientific American - a popular science magazine with a huge audience.  This is the article that brought trauma to the masses.

So its my vote for all-time most important trauma paper, and a fitting start to our new research blog.  A global trauma journal club if you like.  What's your most important trauma paper of all time? Leave a comment below.