title: [Damage control surgery: a review].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To present a monographic review of the damage control surgery.
  
  
  METHODS
  Consult and literature review (131 references).
  
  
  METHODS
  We analyzed these relevant articles in relation to damage control surgery.
  
  
  METHODS
  From each reference we obtain concepts, data and techniques derivates of damage control surgery.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Damage control surgery is a surgical technique that attempts to avoid the triad of coagulopathy,hypothermia and acidosis through application of three phases in patients with multiple lesions. These phases are: Initial laparotomy, stabilization in ICU and definitive surgery. During initial laparotomy efforts are made to controlling the surgical and non surgical bleeding (through packing) and avoid peritoneal contamination. During the stabilization phase the hypothermia, acidosis and coagulopathy are corrected in ICU. In definitive surgery, packing is removed and makes the definitive repair of lesions.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  For the trauma surgeon is important the knowledge about the concepts related to damage control surgery. This is applicable to multiple trauma patients, and disaster situations like terrorism acts and natural disasters.
authors: Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Querétaro. scientia_medica@hotmail.com
authors: José Francisco
authors: JF
authors: Camacho Aguilera
authors: Sergio
authors: S
authors: Mascareño Jiménez
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D007813:Laparotomy; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control*; D012151:Resuscitation; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000601:surgery*