Abstract
Damage control can be difficult to teach. Residents have few operative trauma experiences. During damage control situations, the resident's education may be lost in the stressful and fast, paced operating room due to patient care taking priority. Fortunately, there are numerous other opportunities to teach this important concept outside of the operating room.
Damage control can be taught in a three step cycle from war games to intraoperative teaching during a crisis and ending with an after action review. This process is also applicable to other intraoperative crises and acute medical conditions such as a code event.
This manuscript describes multiple opportunities for education both in and outside the operating room when during the stressful moment, patient care takes priority.