Related Experiment Videos
Diagnostic peritoneal lavage in blunt trauma
M L Hawkins1, W M Scofield, R P Carraway
1Department of Surgery, Carraway Methodist Medical Center, Birmingham, Ala.
Southern Medical Journal
|March 1, 1988
Summary
Diagnostic peritoneal lavage (DPL) is a safe and accurate method for evaluating blunt abdominal trauma. This study found DPL to be highly effective in identifying internal injuries in trauma patients.
Area of Science:
- Emergency Medicine
- Trauma Surgery
- Diagnostic Procedures
Background:
- Diagnostic peritoneal lavage (DPL) is a critical tool in trauma care.
- Evaluating blunt abdominal trauma necessitates accurate diagnostic methods.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the safety, accuracy, and utility of open DPL in trauma patients.
- To determine the efficacy of DPL in diagnosing blunt abdominal injuries.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of 274 trauma patients undergoing 275 open DPL procedures.
- Analysis of DPL results based on gross and microscopic criteria (blood, WBCs, amylase, bilirubin, bacteria, vegetable fibers).
- Categorization of injuries into blunt and penetrating trauma.
Main Results:
- DPL was performed in 48% of blunt trauma cases and 1% of penetrating injuries.
- The procedure demonstrated a low false-negative rate (1%) and a low false-positive rate (3.8%).
- Positive lavage results indicated significant intra-abdominal injury.
Conclusions:
- Open peritoneal lavage is a safe, rapid, and accurate technique for evaluating blunt abdominal trauma.
- DPL is a valuable diagnostic tool in the management of trauma patients with suspected abdominal injuries.