Peritoneal lavage in the diagnosis of intraperitoneal bleeding

The ability of peritoneal lavage with normal saline to disclose intraperitoneal haemorrhage requiring surgical intervention was assessed in a prospektive study of 30 patients admitted after blunt abdominal trauma or on suspicioun of ruptured ectopic pregnancy. The results were compared with the results of a meticulous clinical examination including simple laboratory tests, and were found significantly more reliable in the management of these patients.