Damage Control Resuscitation in Adult and Pediatric Traumatic Patients

Abstract

Damage control surgery (DCS) is a concept of abbreviated laporotomy, designed to prioritize short-term physiological recovery over anatomical reconstruction in the seriously injured patient. Over the last 10 years, a new paradigm has emerged, referred to as Damage Control Resuscitation (DCR). This focuses on initial hypotensive resuscitation and early use of blood products to prevent lethal triad of acidosis, hypothermia, coagulopathy. This article aims to present evidence behind DCR and its current application. In particular DCR may allow borderline patients, who would to undergo early definitive surgery as their physiological derangement is corrected earlier.