Professional
Technical
In the Industry Vocabulary Test
damage control surgery
A staged surgical approach prioritizing life-saving interventions over definitive repair in critically injured patients.
Full Definition
Damage control surgery is a three-phase approach used in severely injured patients where immediate definitive repair would be fatal. The first phase involves rapid control of hemorrhage and contamination, followed by intensive care resuscitation, then definitive repair once the patient is physiologically stable. This strategy sacrifices anatomical perfection for physiological survival in patients with the 'lethal triad' of hypothermia, acidosis, and coagulopathy.
Usage
Usage note: Always lowercase except when beginning a sentence. Avoid abbreviating as 'damage control' without 'surgery' in formal documentation.
In Context
- "The trauma team initiated damage control surgery given the patient's profound shock and coagulopathy." — Operative report
- "Following damage control principles, the surgeon packed the abdomen and planned return to OR in 24 hours." — Clinical documentation
Also known as
DCS
Contrasted with
definitive repair
Don't confuse with
damage limitation surgery
emergency surgery