Peritoneal lavage.

The concept of lavage as an effective means for detecting intraperitoneal injury secondary to trauma has been adequately demonstrated. The value of peritoneal lavage is especially reflected in the statistics reporting approximately 20 per cent incidence of unnecessary celiotomies when physical examination findings alone are used; whereas the number of false-positives and false-negatives may be lowered significantly. Not only does peritoneal lavage decrease the number of unnecessary celiotomies, but it also provides for a more rapid diagnosis that can prevent greater blood loss, thereby reducing the number of subsequent transfusions, minimizing chances of hepatitis, and lowering the incidence of shock with its coincident complications.