A Prospective Randomized Trial of the Lazarus-Nelson vs. the Standard Peritoneal Dialysis Catheter for Peritoneal Lavage in Blunt Abdominal Trauma

One hundred consecutive injured patients with blunt abdominal trauma requiring peritoneal lavage were prospectively randomized to placement of lavage catheters with an open or percutaneous technique. The Lazarus-Nelson catheter, placed by Seldinger wire technique, was compared to a standard dialysis catheter, placed by direct visualization and incision of the peritoneum. Placement of the catheter was consistently faster using the percutaneous method; no difference was noted in time of lavage, volume recovered, or complications. When not contraindicated, the percutaneous technique was widely preferred by study participants.