ABSTRACT
The goal of trauma laparotomy is rapid access to the abdominal cavity and control of haemorrhage and gross contamination. This is not dictated by your environment. Following this, a rapid but complete exploration to define all abdominal injuries should be undertaken. The surgeon must decide if the trauma laparotomy is a damage control laparotomy — where haemorrhage and contamination control are achieved — followed by abdominal packing and termination of further surgery without attempt at definitive repair.
