Battlefield resuscitation

Purpose of review To bring together in one review article, the most current and relevant evidence relating to military trauma resuscitation. Recent findings The main themes highlighted by this review are coagulopathy of trauma shock (COTS), damage control resuscitation, haemostatic resuscitation, the management of massive transfusion, use of adjuvant drugs for haemostasis and use of an empiric massive transfusion protocol. Summary The review aims to educate the readership in recent advances in trauma practice, culminating in a novel empiric massive transfusion algorithm seamlessly guiding the clinician through the initial resuscitation stage resulting in reduced mortality, morbidity, coagulopathy and decreased overall blood product usage.