Adaptation of military damage control in civilian settings

Damage control techniques originated during battlefield experience millennia ago. In the early twentieth century, damage control was utilized to limit hemorrhage from liver injuries. Since then damage control has evolved to include damage control surgery and damage control resuscitation in the military setting, which has been translated and integrated into civilian trauma and emergency general surgery practice. Application of damage control techniques in the military and civilian settings has been studied extensively. Damage control resuscitation in particular has made rapid and marked progress in the past 20 years. Hemostatic resuscitation became common practice in the military during modern Iraq and Afghanistan conflict. This led to application and study in the civilian setting. Differences between military and civilian settings include austere military environments, limited resources, and complex evacuation requirements. Future application of damage control in the civilian setting requires integration and collaboration between the military and civilian sectors.