Diagnostic peritoneal lavage in pediatric trauma

The accuracy of diagnostic peritoneal lavage is compared to that of initial clinical evaluation in 46 pediatric patients with blunt abdominal trauma. The peritoneal lavage accuracy was 97.8%; the clinical accuracy was 71%. The use of a specially prepared 14-gauge trocar has made this technique safe for even very small children. The reliability and safety of diagnostic peritoneal lavage in this as well as in other series suggests that nonoperative or expectant treatment of the patient with blunt abdominal trauma can be safely substituted when peritoneal lavage is negative.