The increasing average age in the industrialized nations is leading to an increasing number of elderly traumatized patients. Against this background, an analysis of the age-specific characteristics of geriatric traumatized patients is necessary. In this study, 14,869 patients > or = 18 years were analysed, who were prospectively documented in the registry of the German Trauma Society (DGU) between 1996 and 2005. Patients between 18 and 59 years were defined as the control group; their proportion declined from 81.1% in 1996-2000 to 75.4% in 2001-2005. The average age rose from 41.0 years (1996) to 45.3 years (2005). With increasing age a significant increase in severe head injuries of up to 58.9% (> or = 80 years) could be observed. Older patients stayed for a significantly shorter time in hospital and on the ICU. With a comparable injury severity, the lethality after trauma increased with age (18-59 years 13.8%, 60-69 years 24.1%, 70-79 years 35.5%, > or = 80 years 43.6%). The multiply traumatized geriatric patient is different from the normal group in regard to type of injury, therapy and outcome and should therefore be treated taking this fact into consideration.