[Blunt abdominal trauma. Advantages of the peritoneal lavage (author's transl)]

Among 80 cases of blunt abdominal trauma operated on at the University Hospital of Bavière during the last two years, peritoneal lavage has been performed in 40 cases. In 39 cases, the diagnosis of blunt abdominal trauma has been established by the peritoneal lavage. A case of false negative result has been due to a technical fault. Peritoneal lavage must be considered as a very useful procedure for the diagnosis of hemoperitoneum and visceral lesions from blunt abdominal trauma.