Use of peritoneal lavage in the diagnosis of experimental acute pancreatitis

Twenty-four dogs were divided into five groups. Under pentothal sodium anesthesia, those in the control group received no further manipulation; another group underwent laparotomy only; and dogs in the last three groups had induced pancreatitis, intestinal ischemia and duodenal perforation, respectively. An analysis was made of serum and peritoneal lavage fluid in the dog of each group at 30 minute intervals for four and one-half hours. Parameters which were significantly elevated in dogs with pancreatitis compared with other groups included fluid amylase, lactate dehydrogenase, proteolytic activity and intestinal alkaline phosphatase and serum amylase. We judge that these biochemical differences in the lavage fluid, when taken with the physical characteristics of the fluid and the clinical symptoms, can significantly aid the clinician in arriving at the diagnosis of acute pancreatitis.