OBJECTIVETo discuss the application and clinical effect of damage control concept in the treatment of severe limbs fractures combining with multiple trauma.

METHODSFrom July 2009 to July 2012, 30 patients with severe limbs fractures combining with multiple trauma were treated with the damage control concept, included 20 males and 10 females with an average age of (34.03 ± 12.81) years old ranging from 20 to 60 years old; the ISS averaged (35.00 ± 12.81) points (ranged from 26 to 54 points). And the control group also contained 30 patients with severe limbs fractures combining with multiple trauma treated by the traditional operation from June 2006 to June 2009, there were 23 males and 7 females with an average age of (34.23 ± 11.04) years old ranging from 18 to 65 years old. The ISS averaged (35.56 ± 11.04) points (ranged from 26 to 51 points). The age, gender, ISS, Gustilo classification, operation time, intraoperative blood loss, blood transfusion,postoperative complications and mortality rate were observed and compared.

RESULTSIn the damage control concept group,there were 28 cases surviving and 2 cases (6.7%) death; 6 cases of postoperative complication included 2 cases of adult respiratory distress syndrome, 1 case of multiple organ failure, 1 case of disseminated intravascular coagulation and 2 cases of wound infection. In the control group, there were 22 cases surviving and 8 cases death(26.7%); 13 cases of postoperative complication included 4 cases of adult respiratory distress syndrome,2 cases of multiple organ failure, 2 cases of disseminated intravascular coagulation and 3 cases of wound infection. There were no statistically significant differences between two groups in age, gender, ISS, Gustilo classfication and complication (P > 0.05), however there were statistically significant differences in mortality rate, operation time, blodd loss, blodd transfusion between two groups (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONDamage control concept is used to treat severe limbs fractures combining with multiple trauma which has the rapid and effective therapy, can improve survival rate and reduce complication.