Efficiency of tube paracentesis without lavage in detecting minimal intraperitoneal bleeding

Tube paracentesis without lavage yielded a positive result in an injured child whose condition was clinically stable and who would otherwise have undoubtedly been observed briefly in the hospital and then discharged. On the basis of the positive paracentesis alone, laparotomy was performed which revealed a very minimal injury of the splenic capsule and intraperitoneal bleeding measured at less than 25 cc. The case is presented because it offers evidence in favor of the efficiency of this technique in detecting intraperitoneal bleeding. This case combined with previous experience leads us to believe this is a very useful tool in the evaluation of patients with blunt abdominal trauma.