Versatility With Far Forward Damage Control Surgery: Successful Resuscitative Thoracotomy in an HH-60 Black Hawk.

The military conflicts of the past 17 years have taught us many lessons, including the evolution of the tiered trauma system with en route resuscitation. The evolution of the conflict has begun to limit the reach of this standard trauma system. Recent evidence suggests that 95% of early deaths resulting from traumatic injuries may be prevented if the patient can undergo damage control surgery within 23 minutes of injury. US Military Surgical Resuscitation Teams have been developed to shorten this time from injury to surgical care, as illustrated by this case report.