[Value of diagnostic measures in blunt epigastric trauma with particular reference to peritoneal lavage (author's...

In 95 patients suffering blunt abdominal trauma the diagnostic validity of abdominal exploration, blood pressure, pulse rate, leukocyte count, and hemoglobin was compared with the results of peritoneal lavage for the detection of intra-abdominal bleeding. Classical clinical symptoms alone are not reliable in evaluation of the patient with abdominal trauma, especially if there are associated multiple injuries. Diagnostic peritoneal lavage has the highest accuracy (more than 95%) and an early diagnosis of intraperitoneal bleeding by widespread use of this method improves the prognosis in these patients.