Early management of multiply injured patients with maxillofacial injuries transferred to hospital by helicopter.

It has been suggested that early intensive medical treatment will improve the outcome for trauma patients with severe injuries. A Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS) based in an urban area was inaugurated by The Royal London Hospital. Specially trained medical and paramedical personnel flew with the helicopter to accident scenes. On return to the hospital, multi-disciplinary teams, including maxillofacial, were called to manage the patients. Operations from its own helipad commenced from the end of August 1990. A retrospective study of 192 patients transferred by HEMS to the Royal London Hospital during 16 months was undertaken. 18% (34) patients had facial injuries recognised at primary and secondary surveys according to Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS) protocols. The problems of early management are described and routine techniques for the control of haemorrhage from the maxillofacial area were developed.