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Acute traumatic pancreatitis is one of the etiological forms of acute pancreatitis, the main cause of the development of which is mechanical trauma to the pancreas. A clinical case of successful treatment of a patient with acute traumatic pancreatitis developed as a result of a shrapnel thoracoabdominal injury with pancreatic damage and its complications using a multidisciplinary approach is presented. The possibilities of implementing the tactics of “damage control” at all stages of medical care are demonstrated.

Background: Little is known about the efficacy of damage control (DC) surgery in the management of lower limb trauma. Here we compared the clinical parameters and complication rates of such patients received either DC or emergency comprehensive (EC) surgery treatment. Methods: This study is a retrospective study on patients with lower limb trauma that received surgical treatment. Data of 120 patients were divided into DC and EC surgery groups. Clinical parameters obtained at hospital admission and complications during follow-up were analyzed. Injury Severity Score (ISS), Gustilo classification and Mangled Extremity Severity Score (MESS) were used to assess trauma severity, open fractures and viability of injured limb, respectively. Results: Age, sex, ISS, fracture type, injury site, MESS, operation time, blood loss, pulmonary and cranial injuries were compared. We found that patients in the DC group had more severe injury as reflected by the higher injury severity score (ISS) (28.1 ± 10.9 vs 21.3 ± 7.4, P

Patients may sustain vascular injuries in rural areas or isolated locations, which are very common in the vast area of the Amazon rainforest. In situations like this, patients may take many hours, or even days, to get access to hospitals capable of dealing with these potentially lethal injuries, arriving in severe conditions that may require damage control strategies. Among the currently available techniques for damage control resuscitation and damage control surgery, the endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta (REBOA) and temporary vascular shunts play an important role, but appropriate devices are often unavailable; in such scenarios, surgeons’ expertise on how to improvise devices, using more accessible materials, can be lifesaving. This paper presents a case of femoral vessel injury in a patient who required REBOA and vascular shunt improvisation; discussions regarding possible improvisation strategies are provided and technical steps on how to implement them are described.

Purpose: It is known that the magnitude of surgery and timing of surgical procedures represents a crucial step of care in polytraumatized patients. In contrast, it is not clear which specific factors are most critical when evaluating the surgical load (physiologic burden to the patient incurred by surgical procedures). Additionally, there is a dearth of evidence for which body region and surgical procedures are associated with high surgical burden. The aim of this study was to identify key factors and quantify the surgical load for different types of fracture fixation in multiple anatomic regions. Methods: A standardized questionnaire was developed by experts from Société Internationale de Chirurgie Orthopédique et de Traumatologie (SICOT)-Trauma committee. Questions included relevance and composition of the surgical load, operational staging criteria, and stratification of operation procedures in different anatomic regions. Quantitative values according to a five-point Likert scale were chosen by the correspondents to determine the surgical load value based on their expertise. The surgical load for different surgical procedures in different body regions could be chosen in a range between "1," defined as the surgical load equivalent to external (monolateral) fixator application, and "5," defined as the maximal surgical load possible in that specific anatomic region. Results: This questionnaire was completed online by 196 trauma surgeons from 61 countries in between Jun 26, 2022, and July 16, 2022 that are members of SICOT. The surgical load (SL) overall was considered very important by 77.0% of correspondents and important by 20.9% correspondents. Intraoperative blood loss (43.2%) and soft tissue damage (29.6%) were chosen as the most significant factors by participating surgeons. The decision for staged procedures was dictated by involved body region (56.1%), followed by bleeding risk (18.9%) and fracture complexity (9.2%). Percutaneous or intramedullary procedures as well as fractures in distal anatomic regions, such as hands, ankles, and feet, were consistently ranked lower in their surgical load. Conclusion: This study demonstrates a consensus in the trauma community about the crucial relevance of the surgical load in polytrauma care. The surgical load is ranked higher with increased intraoperative bleeding and greater soft tissue damage/extent of surgical approach and depends relevantly on the anatomic region and kind of operative procedure. The experts especially consider anatomic regions and the risk of intraoperative bleeding as well as fracture complexity to guide staging protocols. Specialized guidance and teaching is required to assess both the patient's physiological status and the estimated surgical load reliably in the preoperative decision-making and operative staging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Currently, damage control surgery (DCS) employing multiple-staged laparotomy (MSL) is a standard hemostatic approach for treating trauma patients with unstable hemodynamics attributable to massive hemoperitoneum. Based on these findings, we had frequently employed MSL as a part of our hemostatic strategy for the patients, but with unsatisfactory outcomes. On the other hand, with the establishment of damage control resuscitation (DCR), it has become possible to avoid trauma-induced coagulopathy and to achieve adequate hemostasis with single-staged laparotomy (SSL). Consequently, our institutional strategy for surgical hemostasis of the patients has gradually shifted from MSL to SSL with implementation of DCR. The purpose of the study is to evaluate the impact of this shift in the strategy by comparing outcomes of the patients between those underwent MSL and those underwent SSL employing propensity score matching. Methods This retrospective, single-center, observational study evaluated outcomes of hemodynamically unstable patients with traumatic massive hemoperitoneum requiring surgical intervention between 2005 and 2020. The patient population was divided into two groups: a SSL group and a MSL group. Propensity score matching was used to adjust for differences in baseline characteristics in the two groups, a one-to-one matched analysis using nearest-neighbor matching was performed based on the estimated propensity score of each group. The primary outcome was in-hospital mortality, and secondary outcomes were 48-h mortality and 28-day mortality. Results A total of 170 patients met the inclusion criteria; 141 patients underwent SSL, and 29 underwent MSL. In the propensity-matched analysis with 27 pairs, the SSL group had significantly lower in-hospital mortality (odds ratio [OR] 0.154; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.035 to 0.682) and 28-day mortality (OR 0.200; 95% CI 0.044 to 0.913) than the MSL group, but the 48-h mortality did not differ significantly between the two groups (25.9% vs. 44.4%; OR 0.375; 95% CI 0.099–1.414). Conclusions Single-staged laparotomy may be an effective surgical treatment for the traumatic massive hemoperitoneum cases with hemodynamic instability, if conducted following sufficient damage control resuscitation and performed by an experienced surgeon.

INTRODUCTION. Patients with peritonitis complicated by severe sepsis and septic shock determine the mortality rate of a general surgical hospital. The role and place of the Damage control technique in this category of patients remain debatable.The OBJECTIVE was to analyze the use of tactics of staged surgical treatment in patients with peritonitis and septic shock.METHODS AND MATERIALS. On the base of the Saint-Petersburg I. I. Dzhanelidze Research Institute of Emergency Medicine, we conducted a prospective randomized study of the effectiveness of various approaches to the treatment of patients with non-traumatic peritonitis and septic shock, who, after elimination of the primary source, need to restore intestinal continuity. The study included 37 patients, their mean age was (69±14) years, women were 19 (51 %). The patients were divided into 2 groups: the study group (n=14) included patients treated with the Damage Control (DC) principle, in the comparison group (n=23), primary surgery was performed in full. Both groups are representative in terms of demographics, comorbidity, severity of peritonitis and organ dysfunction.RESULTS. The groups differed significantly in the duration of preoperative preparation (p=0.028) and surgery (p=0.025). Mortality rate among patients who used DC tactics was 2 times lower (35.6 vs. 73.9 %) (p=0.038). When assessing the indicators of systemic hypoperfusion, a difference was noted in the dynamics of lactate (p=0.048) and INR (p=0.007) values during the first three days of the postoperative period. Accordingly, in patients who underwent staged treatment, there was a positive dynamics in SOFA values (p=0.049) from the 3rd day, and by the 7th day of the postoperative period in most patients, this indicator did not exceed 2 points (p=0.048). During staged surgical treatment, a constant increase in the Horvitz index was recorded from the second day of the postoperative period, while in the control group, the dynamics of this indicator was negative (p=0.041).СONCLUSIONS. Damage control tactics is safe and can be used in the treatment of general surgical patients with non-traumatic peritonitis and septic shock. Reducing the duration of preoperative preparation, reducing the volume of surgical intervention and, consequently, the duration of the operation allow reduce the time for eliminating signs of systemic hypoperfusion and organ dysfunction, which reduces the rate of death.

Abstract Background The primary aim of this study was to identify if there is an association between the operative time of the initial debridement for necrotizing soft tissue infections (NSTIs) and the mortality corrected for disease severity. Methods A retrospective multicenter study was conducted of all patients with NSTIs undergoing surgical debridement. The primary outcome was the 30-day mortality. The secondary outcomes were days until death, length of intensive care unit (ICU) stay, length of hospital stay, number of surgeries within first 30 days, amputations and days until definitive wound closure. Results A total of 160 patients underwent surgery for NSTIs and were eligible for inclusion. Twenty-two patients (14%) died within 30 days and 21 patients (13%) underwent an amputation. The median operative time of the initial debridement was 59 min (IQR 35–90). In a multivariable analyses, corrected for sepsis just prior to the initial surgery, estimated total body surface (TBSA) area affected and the American Society for Anesthesiologists (ASA) classification, a prolonged operative time (per 20 min) was associated with a prolonged ICU (β 1.43, 95% CI 0.46–2.40; p = 0.004) and hospital stay (β 3.25, 95% CI 0.23–6.27; p = 0.035), but not with 30-day mortality. Operative times were significantly prolonged in case of NSTIs of the trunk (p = 0.044), in case of greater estimated TBSA affected (p = 0.006) or if frozen sections and/or Gram stains were assessed intra-operatively (p

Introduction: Combined arterial and venous lower extremity (LE) injuries present complex management challenges. Temporary arterial shunting is widely accepted, but vein shunting is not well studied. We examined the influence of vein shunting on limb outcomes in military femoropopliteal arterial and venous combined injuries. Methods: A retrospective cohort study of Iraq and Afghanistan LE vascular injuries from 2004-2012 was performed and combined arterial and venous femoropopliteal injuries selected. Vein shunted and non-vein shunted groups were identified and pertinent variables compared. Results: Of 135 arteriovenous injuries, 61 (45%) had vein ligation (5 after shunting), leaving 74 injuries undergoing venous repair (37 grafts (3 synthetic), 34 local repairs, 3 patches). The vein was shunted in 16 (22%). The shunt and no shunt cohorts had similar demographics, mechanism (70% blast), and ISS (median 18, IQR 10-26). Tourniquets and fasciotomy were used equally. Venous shunts were used almost exclusively in cases in which the artery was shunted (94% vs 22% no shunt, P

Abstract Background Although damage control (DC) surgery is widely assumed to reduce mortality in critically injured patients, survivors often suffer substantial morbidity, suggesting that it should only be used when indicated. The purpose of this systematic review was to determine which indications for DC have evidence that they are reliable and/or valid (and therefore in which clinical situations evidence supports use of DC or that DC improves outcomes). Methods We searched 11 databases (1950–April 1, 2019) for studies that enrolled exclusively civilian trauma patients and reported data on the reliability (consistency of surgical decisions in a given clinical scenario) or content (surgeons would perform DC in that clinical scenario or the indication predicted use of DC in practice), construct (were associated with poor outcomes), or criterion (were associated with improved outcomes when DC was conducted instead of definitive surgery) validity for suggested indications for DC surgery or DC interventions. Results Among 34,979 citations identified, we included 36 cohort studies and three cross-sectional surveys in the systematic review. Of the 59 unique indications for DC identified, 10 had evidence of content validity [e.g., a major abdominal vascular injury or a packed red blood cell (PRBC) volume exceeding the critical administration threshold], nine had evidence of construct validity (e.g., unstable patients with combined abdominal vascular and pancreas gunshot injuries or an iliac vessel injury and intraoperative acidosis), and six had evidence of criterion validity (e.g., penetrating trauma patients requiring > 10 U PRBCs with an abdominal vascular and multiple abdominal visceral injuries or intraoperative hypothermia, acidosis, or coagulopathy). No studies evaluated the reliability of indications. Conclusions Few indications for DC surgery or DC interventions have evidence supporting that they are reliable and/or valid. DC should be used with respect for the uncertainty regarding its effectiveness, and only in circumstances where definitive surgery cannot be entertained.

Aim: In this study, we examined the effects of branched silicon tube (BST) and temporary closed circle (TCC) in a Beagle dog model of multiple transection of small intestine and discontinuities suspected intestinal necrosis with hemorrhagic shock. Materials and Methods: Ten male Beagle dogs were randomly divided into two groups. Hemorrhagic shock was induced by bleeding. Intestine was severed. Suspected intestinal necrotic model by ligating the mesenteric vessels was established, with a small tertiary mesenteric vessel reserved. Fracted intestines were ligated (IL group, n = 5) or reconnected with BST (IR group, n = 5). The abdominal cavity was temporarily closed with TCC. Definitive surgery was conducted after 24 h. Results: There was no statistical difference between two groups in the weight of dogs, their blood loss, fluid resuscitation, operation time of early emergency treatment (EET). After definitive surgery, all dogs in IR group and 3 dogs in IL groups were alive. 18 (90%) suspicious necrotic intestinal segments in IL group became necrotic, but 20 (80%) segments in IR group didn't develop obvious changes (p

Arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) of the brain are abnormal connections between the arterial and venous cerebral vasculature that often lead to intracranial hemorrhage (ICH). The diagnosis of AVMs often takes place in the setting of ICH, however, there is no clear consensus on how to manage critically ill, comatose patients and whether it is best to treat the lesion initially. We present an initial treatment strategy that is focused on the management of intracranial hypertension by the means of decompressive craniectomy (DC) coupled with delayed AVM management. We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of three patients who arrived with ICH, obliterated cisterns, and midline shifts greater than 5mm from ruptured AVMs. Each of these patients received a DC, with later definite treatment for their AVMs and cranioplasties. We reported the preoperative and postoperative clinical status of patients using Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) outcomes as well as physical exam findings. All three patients were transferred to the intensive care immediately after DC and had significant clinical improvement 15 days post-craniectomy. All patients underwent definitive AVM treatment within 6 weeks of the initial procedure. One patient was treated with endovascular-only embolization while the other two received surgical treatment. Patients showed a significant improvement in neurological status and clinical outcome. Decompressive hemicraniectomies may have a positive impact on mortality and neurological outcomes for select patients with cerebral hemorrhage originating from vascular malformations, especially in low-resource scenarios.

Abstract Background The liver is the most injured organ following abdominal trauma. Uncontrolled bleeding remains the main cause of early liver injury-related death, with a mortality rate of 50–54% in the first 24 h after admission and with 80% of operative deaths. Packing and reoperation account for the increased survival in severe liver trauma, and they are recommended for severe liver injuries (grades IV–V). Perihepatic packing can lead to several potential complications. An excessive packing can cause complications due to abdominal compartment syndrome, while a soft packing may be ineffective, and thus, bleeding can continue inadvertently with the consequent hypovolemic shock and potentially death. Methods We designed a new vacuum-based device to perform perihepatic packing without the negative side-effects of the classic technique. We conducted a prospective pilot feasibility study in a porcine model. We compared the traditional perihepatic packing (PHP) (n = 2) with the new VacBagPack device (VBP) (n = 2). Results Both pigs survived with the new device and showed an equivalent outcome to the one that survived in the traditional technique group. Blood tests were similar too. This suggests that VBP could be at least as effective as traditional PHP. Conclusions We establish a first step towards the development of a new packing device. A new study with a bigger sample size still in pigs will be conducted. Also, an industrial model of the device is currently in production.

The closure of a massive abdominal wall defect is illustrated using a novel dynamic closure technique - the TopClosure® tension relief system. This system attaches to the abdominal wall immediately after laparotomy and allows for early approximation of the skin, avoiding an open abdomen and the complications associated with this. The technique in this case was employed after extensive resection of the abdominal wall for infected skin metastases of colonic adenocarcinoma and circumvented post-operative ventilation and open abdomen. Early recovery after such extensive surgery is important in terms of patient morbidity and mortality. In this case, primary surgery may not have been an acceptable risk to undertake without the option of Top Closure of the abdomen. We illustrate the technique of abdominal wall closure through a series of images of the procedure.

The impact of synchronous diseases or conditions on operative management of Trauma patients is not well established. In trauma patients, secondary diagnoses may complicate the treatment strategy and lead to changes in management and potentially outcomes. We present 5 unusual trauma cases and we discuss the difficulties and the outcomes we experienced in managing these patients.

Background: Diaphragmatic injuries are rare in trauma victims, and mostly located on the left side. The standard approach is primary closure, using non-absorbable heavy interrupted sutures. Right-sided injuries are protected by the liver and such repair is not mandatory. However, closure of large defects, not suitable for primary suture, remains a challenging problem, especially in a military setting or in severely multiple-organ injured patients. Up until now, the single surgical solution in such situations is usage of absorbable mesh. Methods: The feasibility of a damage control closure technique for huge traumatic diaphragmatic injury was evaluated. Results: After creation of large diaphragmatic defects in an animal model, the defects were closed with an appropriately sized plastic (Bogota) bag and using a large abdominal pad, accordingly. The total procedure time was about 3 min and no chest re-protrusion was observed until completion of the experiment. Conclusions: This novel method is likely to be safe and simple to use as a damage control method and should be further investigated in proper models and clinically.

Introduction: Although the outcomes of patients with retrohepatic inferior vena cava (IVC) injury have improved because of damage control (DC) strategies, some rare complications have been observed. Case Presentation: We present the case of a 35-year-old man with diverticulum-like projections (DLPs) of the retrohepatic IVC that occurred following peri-IVC packing based on DC strategies. The DLPs were treated conservatively with anticoagulant therapy and he recovered completely. Conclusions: Caution must be exercised regarding such rare complications after abbreviated surgery. Conservative therapy may be the optimal treatment for patients with DLPs of the retrohepatic IVC after peri-IVC packing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Damage control surgery (DCS) involves limiting operating room (OR) time for patients with multiple life-threatening injuries and coagulopathy who are reaching physiologic exhaustion. However, there is a paucity of current evidence to support a survival benefit with shorter OR times. The objective of this study was to determine if operation length affects mortality in trauma patients with abdominal injuries. Methods: An 8-year retrospective review of adult patients with DCS for penetrating abdominal trauma at a Level I trauma center was conducted. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed. Results: Patients were stratified into short OR group (SHORT, n = 95) and long OR group (LORT, n = 98) based on the median operative time of 157 minutes. The SHORT group received more ICU blood transfusions (52.6% vs. 35.7%, p = 0.02). Average hospital length of stay (22.8 + 2.3 vs. 31.0 + 3.5 days, p = 0.05) and ICU length of stay (10.6 + 1.2 vs. 12.6 + 1.4 days, p = 0.28) were lower in the LORT group. The SHORT group had 22 patients with an unexpected return to the OR versus 3 in the LORT group (p < 0.0001). OR time was not an independent risk factor for mortality (odds ratio 1.0, 95% CI 0.98–1.0, p = 0.48). Conclusions: Modern damage control practices should focus on early surgical control in combination with effective intra-op resuscitation efforts and not on the amount of time required to accomplish these resuscitative goals. These findings suggest that in the era of modern DCS, the old tenet of 60 minutes may not be as relevant.

A severely injured patient presents several unique challenges to an admitting trauma team. Not only must the extent of the patient's injuries, particularly those that are life-threatening, be determined within minutes of hospital arrival, but also the trauma team needs to be able to assess whether the patient is bleeding and/or has an attendant coagulopathy. Early management of trauma patients is dictated by the presence (or absence) of significant bleeding. Standard definitive surgical procedures can be conducted in hemodynamically stable patients, but those in hemorrhagic shock should be treated according to damage control resuscitation (DCR) principles. DCR is a practice that has evolved over the last two to three decades, combining limited surgical techniques, which provide early hemorrhage control, and balanced transfusion resuscitation strategies, which mitigate (and ideally) treat trauma-induced coagulopathy (TIC). This review describes the contemporary perioperative management of trauma patients who have significant bleeding and/or TIC and sets out the evidence around the current approach for hemostatic resuscitation in these patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The mortality of patients with hemodynamic instability due to severe pelvic fracture is high despite multidisciplinary management. Current management algorithms for these patients emphasize pelvic angioembolization (AE) for hemorrhage control. However, a surgical procedure is often needed because AE is time-consuming and approximately only 15% of patients have arterial bleeding. Most hemorrhages from severe pelvic fracture originate from venous or bone injury. Current research demonstrates the effectiveness of preperitoneal pelvic packing (PPP) in hemorrhage control. However, there are no reports of its use in Korea. Accordingly, we present our early experiences of PPP for control of hemorrhage due to severe pelvic fracture in a trauma center in Korea.

Background: Angioembolization is a widely accepted method for an effective and useful hemostasis procedure in pelvic fracture (PF) patients. We evaluated and introduced the time course of the initial management and angiogra-phy in hemodynamically unstable pelvic fracture patients. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 56 PF patients who underwent interventional radiology (IR) from May 2010 to Dec 2016. We defined arrival to angiography time (ATAT), and this was recorded in all enrolled patients in which the first angiography image represented the initiation of angiography. We also evaluated total embolization time (TET) and single artery embolization time (SAET; time for artery selection, injection, embolization, and confirmation). Results: The median ATAT and TET were respectively 73 and 33 minutes. They were much faster than the previous reports. Conclusions: Our trauma IR strategy with a specialized team might contribute to a shortening of the management time

Early management of vascular injury, starting at the field, is imperative for survival no less than any operative maneuver. Contemporary prehospital management of vascular trauma, including appropriate fluid and volume infusion, tourniquets, and hemostatic agents, has reversed the historically known limb hemorrhage as a leading cause of death. In this context, damage control (DC) surgery has evolved to DC resuscitation (DCR) as an overarching concept that draws together preoperative and operative interventions aiming at rapidly reducing bleeding from vascular disruption, optimizing oxygenation, and clinical outcomes. This review addresses contemporary DCR techniques from the prehospital to the surgical setting, focusing on civilian vascular injuries.

The use of intravascular shunts for damage control purposes has been well described both in the battlefield and in the civilian environment. In this report, we present a case in which a self-expanding polytetrafl uoroethylene (PTFE) stent graft was used as an alternative to traditional damage control intra-arterial shunt to successfully control bleeding and reestablish arterial flow in the aortoiliac segment. A 50-year-old male presented in extremis after sustaining multiple abdominal gunshot wounds. After resuscitative thoracotomy, laparotomy demonstrated transection of the right common iliac artery at its origin, destructive pancreatoduodenal injury with associated superior mesenteric vein injury, and multiple small bowel and colonic injuries. Because of the location of the injury at the aortoiliac junction, temporary intra-arterial shunt placement was not possible as no residual iliac cuff was available to secure a tie around the shunt proximally. A self-expanding PTFE stent graft was introduced and directed across the injury under direct visualization and deployed to bridge the defect from the aortic bifurcation to the right common iliac artery. After deployment, the stent was hemostatic and pulses were palpable in bilateral iliac and common femoral arteries. The associated intra-abdominal injuries were addressed and the abdomen packed and temporarily closed. Total operative time was 65 minutes. After a 4-hour period of resuscitation in the ICU, the patient became hemodynamically unstable and was re-explored. Diffuse bleeding was identified in all raw surfaces of the retroperitoneum, abdominal wall and chest wall. The area of the stent was hemostatic. The right colon was massively dilated from intraluminal bleeding, so a right hemicolectomy was performed. Despite resuscitative eff orts and more than 100 units of blood products the patient expired. In this report, we described the use of direct endovascular repair using a self-expanding PTFE stent graft in the aortoiliac location as an alternative to temporary intra-arterial shunt placement. This technique allowed quick hemostasis and reestablishment of arterial flow in an area in which traditional intra-arterial shunts would not be feasible.

Shotgun injuries from a short distance (

Background: Intestinal anastomosis in severely ill children with peritonitis from intestinal perforation, intestinal gangrene or anastomotic dehiscence (acute intestinal disease) is associated with high morbidity and mortality. Enterostomy as a damage control measure may be an option to minimize the high morbidity and mortality. This report evaluates the role of damage control enterostomy in the treatment of these patients. Materials and Methods: A retrospective review of 52 children with acute intestinal disease who had enterostomy as a damage control measure in 12 years. Results: There were 34 (65.4%) boys and 18 (34.6%) girls aged 3 days-13 years (median 9 months), comprising 27 (51.9%) neonates and infants and 25 (48.1%) older children. The primary indication for enterostomy in neonates and infants was intestinal gangrene 25 (92.6%) and perforated typhoid ileitis 22 (88%) in older children. Enterostomy was performed as the initial surgery in 33 (63.5%) patients and as a salvage procedure following anastomotic dehiscence in 19 (36.5%) patients. Enterostomy-related complications occurred in 19 (36.5%) patients, including 11 (21.2%) patients with skin excoriations and eight (15.4%) with hypokalaemia. There were four (7.7%) deaths (aged 19 days, 3 months, 3½ years and 10 years, respectively) directly related to the enterostomy, from hypokalaemia at 4, 12, 20 and 28 days postoperatively, respectively. Twenty other patients died shortly after surgery from their primary disease. Twenty of 28 surviving patients have had their enterostomy closed without complications, while eight are awaiting enterostomy closure. Conclusion: Damage-control enterostomy is useful in management of severely ill children with intestinal perforation or gangrene. Careful and meticulous attention to fluid and electrolyte balance, and stoma care, especially in the first several days following surgery, are important in preventing morbidity and mortality.