Peritoneal lavage in pediatric patients sustaining blunt abdominal trauma: a reappraisal
Powell, R.W.; Green, J.B.; Ochsner, M.G.; Barttelbort, S.W.; Shackford, S.R.; Sise, M.J.
Journal of Trauma 27(1): 6-9
1987
ISSN/ISBN: 0022-5282 PMID: 3806715 Document Number: 293123
One hundred twenty-eight patients from 0 to 18 years of age underwent diagnostic peritoneal lavage following blunt abdominal trauma. Seventy-eight had negative lavages and 50 were positive. Forty-one patients underwent exploratory celiotomy after positive lavage results. A review of the operative findings and need for surgical intervention led to the conclusion that 12 of these operations were not necessary. Due to the oversensitivity of peritoneal lavage a strongly positive result mandates further diagnostic evaluation unless the patient's clinical status requires exploratory celiotomy.