The article in the November issue of the ARCHIVES by Eiseman et al1 suggests that "[m]ilitary surgeons and policy makers should become familiar with the principal indications, techniques, and accumulating outcome data of DCS [damage control surgery] in civilian trauma centers" for the purpose of adopting these techniques in military settings.
We contend that damage control surgery was invented in the military and has lately been relabeled by surgeons oblivious of their heritage. The authors state, "Damage control surgery is intended to alter [a] disastrous clinical course. Early abbreviated laparotomy is performed on the partially resuscitated patient to stop life-threatening hemorrhage and to minimize further major peritoneal soiling."