packing and planned re-exploration
Damage control technique involving temporary packing of bleeding sites with planned return to surgery for definitive repair.
Full Definition
Packing and planned re-exploration is a core damage control surgery technique used when immediate definitive repair would be physiologically prohibitive. Surgical packs are placed to achieve temporary hemostasis while the patient undergoes resuscitation and correction of coagulopathy, hypothermia, and acidosis. The abdomen is temporarily closed, and the patient returns to the operating room within 24-48 hours for pack removal and definitive repair. This approach prioritizes physiology over anatomy, allowing severely injured patients to survive the initial insult. Successful implementation requires careful pack placement, appropriate temporary closure techniques, and coordinated ICU management between operations.
Usage
Usage note: Always document the planned timing for re-exploration and specific packing locations.
In Context
- "Given the patient's coagulopathy and hypothermia, we opted for packing and planned re-exploration in 24 hours." — Damage control surgery operative report
- "The liver injury was managed with packing and planned re-exploration once the patient's physiology improved." — Trauma surgery consultation note