DAMAGE CONTROL SURGERY: A LITERATURE REVIEW

Abstract

Damage control surgery, introduced in the 1980s, is an approach that prioritizes temporary control of bleeding and other complications before definitive repair of injuries. Damage control surgery involves five stages: patient selection, abbreviated surgery, correction of physiological parameters, reoperation, and abdominal closure. This approach aims to interrupt the "lethal triad" composed of metabolic acidosis, hypothermia, and coagulopathy, which is common in severely traumatized patients. Although damage control surgery is widely accepted, its evidence is limited due to the lack of clear criteria for indication. The decision to adopt this approach depends on the surgeon's clinical judgment, highlighting the need for further research to establish more robust protocols and reduce the ambiguity associated with this clinical choice. The technique is recommended for patients with significant physiological compromise, where survival with definitive surgery is unlikely. In this context, damage control surgery proves to be a valuable strategy for severely traumatized patients, but its application still requires more comprehensive studies to define clear criteria and solid protocols, which would help reduce uncertainties surrounding this crucial clinical choice.