Progress on combat damage control resuscitation/surgery and its application in the Chinese People's Liberation Army.

Abstract

Damage control resuscitation (DCR) and damage control surgery (DCS) has now been developed as a well-established standard of care for severely injured civilian patients worldwide. On the other hand, the application of combat DCR/DCS has saved the lives of thousands of severely injured casualties in several wars during the last two decades. This article describes the great progress on DCR/DCS in the last two decades and its application in the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA). The main development of the advanced theories of combat DCR/DCS including the global integration of DCR/DCS, application of remote battlefield DCR, balanced hemostatic resuscitation in combat hospitals and enhancement of en route DCR. There are two key factors that determine the feasibility of combat DCR: one is the availability of resources and supplies to implement the advanced theories of combat DCR/DCS, the other is the availability of qualified personnel who master the skills needed for the implementation of DCR/DCS. In the PLA, the advanced theories of combat DCR/DCS have now been widely accepted, and some of related advanced products, such as fresh-frozen plasma, packed red blood cells, and platelets, have been available in Level III medical facilities. In conclusion, great progress in combat DCR/DCS has been achieved in recent years, and the Chinese PLA is keeping good pace with this development, although there is still room for improvement.