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  • Title: Diagnostic peritoneal lavage in the management of blunt abdominal trauma: a reassessment.
    Author: Gomez GA, Alvarez R, Plasencia G, Echenique M, Vopal JJ, Byers P, Dove DB, Kreis DJ.
    Journal: J Trauma; 1987 Jan; 27(1):1-5. PubMed ID: 3806707.
    Abstract:
    In order to reassess the value of diagnostic peritoneal lavage (DPL) in patients with blunt abdominal trauma, we conducted a prospective study over a 15-month period involving 138 patients. There were 29 (28.3%) patients with positive DPL and 103 (71.7%) with negative DPL in this series. Of the 29 patients with positive DPL, 28 (96.5%) were found to have significant intra-abdominal injuries; 27 by exploratory laparotomy and in one case at autopsy. One patient with a grossly positive DPL had a negative exploratory laparotomy (3.4% false positive rate). All 109 patients with negative DPL were admitted. In only one case a significant intra-abdominal injury was demonstrated (0.9% false negative rate). The overall mortality in this series was 11.6% and there were no complications related to the DPL. Our results suggest that DPL is indeed an accurate indicator of significant intra-abdominal injuries in patients with blunt abdominal trauma.
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