Damage Control Surgery Anesthesia

Damage Control Surgery Anesthesia

Damage Control Surgery Anesthesia

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DCS Fundamentals - Trauma Tango Triage

Damage Control Surgery (DCS): Rapid, abbreviated procedure for exsanguinating trauma. Prioritizes physiology (stopping lethal triad) over immediate anatomical repair.

  • Goals: Control hemorrhage & contamination; ICU resuscitation; planned re-operation.
  • Lethal Triad: Vicious cycle of:
    • Hypothermia (< 35°C)
    • Acidosis ($pH$ < 7.2)
    • Coagulopathy (e.g., INR > 1.5, PTT > 60s) 📌 HACk the Triad: Hypothermia, Acidosis, Coagulopathy.
  • Triage Triggers for DCS:
    • Persistent physiological derangement (Lethal Triad components).
    • Inability to achieve hemostasis or control contamination.
    • Need for massive transfusion (e.g., >10 U PRBCs).
    • Anticipated prolonged complex surgery.

Lethal Triad of Trauma Venn Diagram

⭐ The decision for DCS is often made intraoperatively when physiological limits are reached, signifying the "Trauma Tango" between surgical needs and patient stability.

Anesthetic Blueprint - Code Red Control

  • Airway: RSI, cricoid pressure.
  • Anesthetics: Ketamine, low MAC volatiles, or TIVA. Minimal cardiac depression.
  • Resuscitation: Blood products (PRBC:FFP:Plt as 1:1:1 or 1:1:2).
  • Monitoring: IBP, Temp, EtCO2, UO, ABG/TEG.
  • Goals: Physiological stabilization, prevent secondary injury.

⭐ Permissive hypotension (target SBP 80-90 mmHg) is crucial in DCR for non-TBI trauma to minimize bleeding until surgical control.

Perioperative Playbook - Lifeline Logistics

  • Rapid Pre-op (ABCDE):

    • Airway: RSI (c-spine PRN), difficult airway prep.
    • Breathing: High FiO2.
    • Circulation: 2x Large Bore IVs (14-16G), Art-line. Central/RIC PRN.
    • Drugs: TXA 1g IV, then 1g/8h.
    • Labs: Stat ABG, VBG, lactate, Hb, coags, X-match.
    • Warmth: Forced air & fluid warmers.
  • Intra-op Anesthesia:

    • Goals: Hemodynamic stability, counter Lethal Triad (Hypothermia, Acidosis, Coagulopathy).
    • Induction: Ketamine/Etomidate. Avoid propofol if unstable.
    • Maintenance: Low MAC volatiles / TIVA.
    • Monitor: ASA std + Art-line, Temp, UO, ETCO2. TEG/ROTEM PRN.
    • Resuscitation Strategies:
      • Permissive Hypotension: SBP 80-90 mmHg (MAP 50-60 mmHg) till bleeding control (TBI: MAP >80 mmHg).
      • MTP: Early. Ratio 1:1:1 (PRBC:FFP:Plt).
      • Calcium: IV $Ca^{2+}$ (1g $CaCl_2$ / 4U PRBC). 📌 MTP $Ca^{2+}$!

⭐ Early administration of Tranexamic Acid (TXA) within 3 hours of injury in bleeding trauma patients significantly reduces mortality.

Post-Op & ICU - The Next Round

  • Primary Goals: Restore physiology, correct lethal triad (hypothermia, acidosis, coagulopathy), plan definitive surgery.
  • Continued Resuscitation:
    • Monitor: Lactate, base deficit (target > -6), UO (> 0.5 ml/kg/hr).
    • Correct: Coagulopathy (TEG/ROTEM), acidosis (target pH > 7.25), hypothermia (warming).
  • Ventilation: Lung-protective strategies (low tidal volumes 6-8 ml/kg IBW).
  • Analgesia: Multimodal approach.
  • Nutrition: Early enteral preferred.

⭐ Persistent acidosis (pH < 7.25, base deficit < -6 mmol/L) or elevated lactate (> 2.5 mmol/L) indicates ongoing shock, high mortality risk.

High‑Yield Points - ⚡ Biggest Takeaways

  • Permissive hypotension (SBP 80-100 mmHg) is key until surgical control of bleeding.
  • Resuscitate with blood products in a 1:1:1 ratio (PRBC:FFP:Platelets) for hemorrhagic shock.
  • Aggressively prevent and treat the lethal triad: hypothermia, acidosis, and coagulopathy.
  • DCS prioritizes rapid hemorrhage control and contamination prevention over definitive repair.
  • Minimize crystalloid administration to avoid dilutional coagulopathy and abdominal compartment syndrome.
  • Ketamine is often a preferred induction agent due to its sympathomimetic properties and hemodynamic stability.
  • Anesthetic goals include supporting ongoing resuscitation, providing analgesia, and ensuring amnesia with minimal physiological disturbance.
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Practice Questions: Damage Control Surgery Anesthesia

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Best solution to be used in hypovolemic shock is:

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Target MAP in patients of polytrauma on vasopressor therapy is _____ mmHg

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Target MAP in patients of polytrauma on vasopressor therapy is _____ mmHg

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Damage Control Surgery Anesthesia | Trauma Anesthesia - OnCourse NEET-PG