Diagnostic peritoneal lavage in blunt abdominal trauma.
Diagnostic peritoneal lavage is accurate and safe. It leads to fewer unnecessary laparotomies than if clinical examination alone is used and nearly eliminates deaths from undiagnosed abdominal injuries. Persons with clinical abdominal findings, shock, altered sensorium, and severe chest injuries after blunt trauma should undergo the procedure.
D000007:Abdominal Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis*; D001202:Ascitic Fluid / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D007507:Therapeutic Irrigation / Q000009:adverse effects; D014949:Wounds, Nonpenetrating / Q000175:diagnosis*