Damage Control Surgery

Damage control surgery (DCS) is an abbreviated laparotomy for patients who have life-threating bleeding, injuries, and septic sources. The procedure consists of hemorrhage control, by procedures like hemostasis, packing, clamping, and ligation; limits contamination by simple resections, primary suturation, closed absorbent systems, and external drainage; and leads to temporary abdominal closure as quickly as possible. The non-life-threatening injuries are delayed to a reoperation. The main purpose of the damage control surgery is to prevent complications of the lethal triad: coagulopathy, acidosis, and hypothermia.