History of the Innovation of Damage Control for Management of Trauma Patients: 1902-2016

Authors

Derek J. Roberts, University of Calgary, Regional Trauma Program, Calgary
Chad G. Ball, University of Calgary, Regional Trauma Program, Calgary
David V. Feliciano, Indiana University
Ernest E. Moore, University of Colorado
Rao R. Ivatury, Virginia Commonwealth University
Charles E. Lucas, Wayne State University
Timothy C. Fabian, University of Tennessee
David A. Zygun, University of Alberta
Andrew W. Kirkpatrick, University of Calgary, Regional Trauma Program, Calgary
Henry T. Stelfox, University of Calgary

Document Type

Article

Original Publication Date

2017

Journal/Book/Conference Title

ANNALS OF SURGERY

Volume

265

Issue

5

First Page

1034

Last Page

1044

DOI of Original Publication

10.1097/SLA.0000000000001803

Comments

Originally published at http://doi.org/10.1097/SLA.0000000000001803

Date of Submission

June 2017

Abstract

Objective: To review the history of the innovation of damage control (DC) for management of trauma patients.

Background: DC is an important development in trauma care that provides a valuable case study in surgical innovation.

Methods: We searched bibliographic databases (1950-2015), conference abstracts (2009-2013), Web sites, textbooks, and bibliographies for articles relating to trauma DC. The innovation of DC was then classified according to the Innovation, Development, Exploration, Assessment, and Long-term study model of surgical innovation.

Results: The "innovation'' of DC originated from the use of therapeutic liver packing, a practice that had previously been abandoned after World War II because of adverse events. It then "developed'' into abbreviated laparotomy using "rapid conservative operative techniques.'' Subsequent "exploration'' resulted in the application of DC to increasingly complex abdominal injuries and thoracic, peripheral vascular, and orthopedic injuries. Increasing use of DC laparotomy was followed by growing reports of postinjury abdominal compartment syndrome and prophylactic use of the open abdomen to prevent intra-abdominal hypertension after DC laparotomy. By the year 2000, DC surgery had been widely adopted and was recommended for use in surgical journals, textbooks, and teaching courses ("assessment'' stage of innovation). "Long-term study'' of DC is raising questions about whether the procedure should be used more selectively in the context of improving resuscitation practices.

Conclusions: The history of the innovation of DC illustrates how a previously abandoned surgical technique was adapted and readopted in response to an increased understanding of trauma patient physiology and changing injury patterns and trauma resuscitation practices.

Rights

Copyright © 2017 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.

Is Part Of

VCU Surgery Publications