Continuing peritoneal lavage in high-risk peritonitis.

A total of 27 patients with peritonitis who were considered to have poor prognoses were treated with a continuing peritoneal lavage of 1.5% Dianeal containing gentamicin sulfate, cephalothin sodium, and lincomycin. Twenty-one patients survived (78%), and only two patients developed intraperitoneal abscesses. The major benefit was found in those patients with gross peritoneal contamination. Anastomotic integrity was not affected by the lavage.