Peritoneal lavage in blunt abdominal trauma.
Peritoneal lavage is a safe and relatively simple procedure that can eliminate delay in diagnosing significant intra-abdominal injury after blunt abdominal trauma. Serious complications from the procedure are quite uncommon. The use of an "open" technique minimizes the risk of false-positive results. The technique does not uncover retroperitoneal injuries.
D000007:Abdominal Injuries / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D010537:Peritoneum / Q000601:surgery*; D007507:Therapeutic Irrigation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D014949:Wounds, Nonpenetrating / Q000628:therapy*