Efficacy of CT following peritoneal lavage in abdominal trauma

Peritoneal lavage and abdominal/pelvic CT are described in the radiologic and surgical literature as alternative techniques in the evaluation of blunt abdominal trauma. The relative merits of each technique have been discussed, and it has been stated that postlavage CT is not useful because of the residual peritoneal fluid. A retrospective study of 48 patients who underwent postlavage CT was performed over 34 months. Despite residual lavage fluid, CT provided specific and clinically useful information in 58% of patients following peritoneal lavage. A variety of intraperitoneal and retroperitoneal traumatic lesions were imaged using postlavage CT. We conclude that postlavage CT is often clinically useful in the patient who has incurred blunt abdominal trauma, irrespective of the peritoneal lavage results.