Skill sets required for the management of military head, face and neck trauma: a multidisciplinary consensus statement.

The identification of those skill sets required for deployment is in keeping with the General Medical Council's current drive towards credentialing consultants, by which a consultant surgeon's capabilities in particular practice areas would be defined. Limited opportunities currently exist for trainees and consultants to gain experience in the management of traumatic head, face, neck and eye injuries seen in a kinetic combat environment. Predeployment training requires that the surgical techniques described in this paper are covered and should form the curriculum of future military-specific surgical fellowships. Relevant continued professional development will be necessary to maintain required clinical competency.