title: ICU management of patients with suspected positive findings of diagnostic peritoneal lavage following blunt abdominal trauma.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To explore the management for blunt abdominal trauma victims with probable positive diagnostic peritoneal lavage (DPL) findings.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data of 76 patients with probable positive DPL findings accepted to ICU in previous 10 years were reviewed. After admission, the patients were evaluated in a settled time according to the protocols of Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS). Vital signs were continuously monitored and DPL, ultrasound and/or CT scan were repeated when necessary.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Eighteen (24%) of 76 patients presented positive DPL findings after repeated DPL. Surgical findings confirmed 7 cases of spleen rupture, 3 hepatorrhexis (infra-Glisson capsule), 4 intestinal perforation, 2 gastric perforation, 1 colon perforation and 1 injured mesentery.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Patients with probable positive DPL findings were admitted to ICU with vital signs continuously monitored. Repeated DPL with supplemental ultrasound and/or CT scan can work together to increase the sensitivity and accuracy of the diagnosis, reduce the rate of exploratory laparotomy, ensure patients' safety and provide a reliable basis for therapeutic operations.
authors.affiliation: Intensive care unit, Affiliated Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Medical College, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310016, China. goudoy123@msn.com
authors.forename: Dong-yuan
authors.initials: DY
authors.lastname: Gou
authors.forename: Yan
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Jin
authors.forename: Li-ying
authors.initials: LY
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Qi
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Wei
mesh_terms: D000007:Abdominal Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007362:Intensive Care Units; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010533:Peritoneal Lavage; D014949:Wounds, Nonpenetrating / Q000175:diagnosis*