title: Diagnostic exploratory celiotomy: an outdated concept in blunt abdominal trauma.
abstract: Diagnostic exploratory celiotomy as the primary procedure in the trauma patient is rarely indicated since the validation of peritoneal lavage as a diagnostic technic. The accuracy of diagnostic peritoneal lavage is clearly superior to that of initial or repetitive clinical evaluation of trauma patients, and its cost is miniscule compared with unnecessary diagnostic celiotomy.
mesh_terms: D000007:Abdominal Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D003951:Diagnostic Errors; D006801:Humans; D010529:Peritoneal Cavity; D007507:Therapeutic Irrigation; D014949:Wounds, Nonpenetrating / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*