Advanced
Technical
IVT
damage control orthopedics
Temporary stabilization of fractures in polytrauma patients to minimize physiologic insult before definitive repair.
Full Definition
A surgical approach prioritizing rapid stabilization of major fractures in critically injured patients using external fixation or minimal internal fixation. This technique reduces the secondary physiologic hit from prolonged surgery, allowing patient optimization before definitive orthopedic reconstruction. The strategy is part of the broader damage control philosophy applied to multiply injured patients.
Usage
Usage note: Hyphenated as adjective (damage-control orthopedics), not when used as noun phrase.
In Context
- "The trauma team elected for damage control orthopedics given the patient's hemodynamic instability." — Operative report
- "Following initial damage control orthopedics, the patient returned for definitive fixation once stabilized." — Progress note
Also known as
DCO
staged orthopedic management
Contrasted with
definitive fixation
early total care
Don't confuse with
damage control surgery
external fixation