Damage Control Resuscitation

Abstract

The most common cause of death from all causes of trauma is haemorrhage. Within the UK it accounts 40% of all deaths from trauma and for 80% of deaths in the operating theatre [1]. It remains the leading preventable cause of trauma-related death and the most frequent reason for death within the first hour of injury [2]. A similar picture has been seen in the recent conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan with the majority of deaths from ballistic and blast injury occurring within the first hour [3]. The most common preventable cause of death being from exsanguination due to uncontrollable haemorrhage [4].