Chairs:
Z. Balogh, Newcastle, Australia
A. Peitzman, Pittsburgh, USA
V. Vécsei, Vienna, Austria 

Introduction: The problem and aims
Z. Balogh, Newcastle, Australia

Definition of Polytrauma: The need for international consensus
N. Butcher, Newcastle, Australia

The US perception on polytrauma
A. Peitzman, Pittsburgh, USA

Validation process of new scores
B. Bouillon, Cologne, Germany

Polytrauma why is it unique clinically
H.-C. Pape, Aachen, Germany

Why it is unique for research
P. Giannoudis, Leeds, UK

Why it is important for training
L. Leenen, Utrecht, The Netherlands