Professional
Technical
In the Industry Vocabulary Test
damage control surgery
Emergency surgical technique prioritizing hemorrhage control and contamination control over definitive repair.
Full Definition
Damage control surgery is a staged surgical approach used in critically injured patients where immediate definitive repair would be physiologically prohibitive. The technique involves rapid control of bleeding and contamination, temporary closure, resuscitation in the intensive care unit, and planned return to the operating room for definitive repair once the patient is stabilized. This approach has significantly improved survival rates in severely injured patients.
Usage
Usage note: Not hyphenated when used as a noun; hyphenated when used as an adjective.
In Context
- "The patient underwent damage control surgery due to hemodynamic instability." — Operative report
- "Damage control surgery was indicated given the patient's coagulopathy and hypothermia." — Clinical decision documentation
Also known as
damage control laparotomy
abbreviated surgery
Contrasted with
definitive surgery
primary repair
Don't confuse with
exploratory surgery