Diagnostic peritoneal lavage

Peritoneal lavage is a useful adjunct to physical examination and to other traditional means of assessing the patient with potential intraabdominal injury. The procedure is safe in experienced hands and may be easily and rapidly performed with a minimum of equipment. The information that lavage provides may spare some patients an exploratory laparotomy and, more important, may identify those patients who appear to be in stable condition but who, in fact, need immediate lifesaving intervention.