[Dilemmas in traumatology]

The introduction paper lists out the dilemmas arising in organization of the traumatologic service and describes the current organization scheme of this service in Slovenia. The author maintains that organization of traumatology is in all respects the primary task of the traumatologists in larger centres as well as of the traumatologic sections established inour republics. The author points aot that incidence of trauma is on a constant increase Recently, the work conditions of the traumatologic service have slightly improved, at least in Slovenia, but have not yet attained the standards reguired for efficient solving of the problems challenging the organization of traumatology. The traumatologic service is still faced with shortage of staff, means, hospital bed fund and functional facilities. These problems are most pronounced in the peripheral hospitals. The aim of better organization of this service should be to provide that a complete medical assistance in view of preserving at least the major vital functions of the most severely traumatized patients be available at all traumatologic departments and units. Categorization of the hospitals nad division of labour are essential in further-successful treatment of casualties as well as decreasing of their mortality and disability rates.