[The value of diagnostic peritoneal lavage in perforating abdominal injuries]

From July to October 1980 40 patients with deep torso injuries caused by shrapnel or high velocity missiles were treated in the ICRC-Field Hospital at Kao-I-Dang near the Cambodian border in Thailand. In 17 cases indication for laparotomy was evident, whereas in 23 patients paracentesis and lavage of the abdomen were performed. In 12 cases with positive results, immediate laparotomy revealed significant intra-abdominal injuries. Of ten patients with negative or weakly positive results nine were treated conservatively and their recovery was uneventful. Only one patient was operated and a retro-peritoneal hematoma not requiring surgery was found. It is concluded that peritoneal lavage is a useful diagnostic procedure in evaluating penetrating abdominal injuries.