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Arch Surg. 2001;136:965-967.

	Since this article does not have an abstract, we have provided the first 150 words of the full text and any section headings.

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."

Compare this with the definitions of "forward surgery" used in the US Army Second Auxiliary Surgical Group² in reporting their combat surgical experience from mid 1943 through 1945: "Correction of profound physiological disturbances which immediately endanger life" and "arrest or prevention of . . . [Full Text of this Article]

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