Abdominal vascular trauma occurs in a small proportion of patients admitted in trauma centers. However, up to a quarter or a third of the patients who require a laparotomy will have a vascular injury. Preoperative identification is impossible in most cases, therefore, surgeons must be prepared for its early intraoperative recognition to allow appropriate management. This include temporary bleeding control techniques, identification of the probable injured vessel and the specific approach and management. Often, recognition of exsanguinating intra-abdominal hemorrhage will lead to immediate surgical indication, with activation of damage control protocols and consideration of early aortic occlusion.This paper illustrates the applications of damage control in the management of patients with abdominal vascular trauma.
Damage control in abdominal vascular trauma