The topics covered are common in both developed and developing countries as well as in tropical and non-tropical settings.

The book offers an introduction to trauma, which includes primary, secondary and tertiary surveys, trauma resuscitation, and multidisciplinary care followed by a short section on acute burns management and a discussion of a range of specific surgical topics including various of acute abdomen, upper and lower gastrointestinal bleeding, perianal conditions, oncological issues that require acute intervention, abdominal wall problems, urological emergencies and neck swellings.

It also addresses the rational use of antibiotics and medications and the role of high dependency units. Each chapter includes a flow chart algorithm with multiple endpoints that relate to the resource situations available to the surgeon.

The book is of interest to clinicians dealing with changes in acute surgery and the increasing disparity between developed and developing countries