Advanced
Technical
IVT
damage control laparotomy
Also written as: DCL
Abbreviated surgical approach prioritizing hemorrhage control and contamination source control over definitive repair in critically injured patients.
Full Definition
A staged surgical strategy employed in severely injured patients where immediate life-threatening issues are addressed through rapid control of bleeding and contamination, followed by temporary abdominal closure. The approach defers complex reconstructive procedures until the patient's physiology is optimized, typically addressing the lethal triad of hypothermia, acidosis, and coagulopathy before returning for definitive repair.
Usage
Usage note: Distinguish from standard damage control surgery by specifying the abdominal approach.
In Context
- "A damage control laparotomy was performed given the patient's severe acidosis and hypothermia." — operative report
- "The decision to convert to damage control laparotomy was made after recognizing ongoing coagulopathy." — intraoperative decision documentation
Also known as
DCL
abbreviated laparotomy
Contrasted with
definitive laparotomy
primary repair
Don't confuse with
exploratory laparotomy
emergency laparotomy