Damage control surgery is surgical intervention to keep the patient alive rather than correct the anatomy.[1][2] It addresses the "lethal triad" for critically ill patients with severe hemorrhage affecting homeostasis leading to metabolic acidosis, hypothermia, and increased coagulopathy.[3]
This lifesaving method has significantly decreased the morbidity and mortality of critically ill patients, though complications can result. It stabilizes patients for clinicians to subsequently reverse the physiologic insult prior to completing a definitive repair. While the temptation to perform a definitive operation exists, surgeons should avoid this practice because the deleterious effects on patients can result in them succumbing to the physiologic effects of the injury, despite the anatomical correction. The leading cause of death among trauma patients remains uncontrolled hemorrhage and accounts for approximately 30–40% of trauma-related deaths.[4]
While typically trauma surgeons are heavily involved in treating such patients, the concept has evolved to other sub-specialty services. A multi-disciplinary group of individuals is required: nurses, respiratory therapist, surgical-medicine intensivists, blood bank personnel and others.
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