Peritoneal lavage and scintigraphic evaluation of blunt abdominal trauma.

The emergency management of blunt abdominal trauma requires rapid assembly of accurate information. But history, physical findings and conventional tests may be unreliable. As a result, peritoneal lavage is an integral part of the initial diagnostic protocol in many centers. However, confusion in interpretation, especially of "weak positives," can result in delayed or unnecessary celiotomy. In our regional trauma center, lavage is now reserved for selected cases based on experience with 1,833 cases "scanned" during a five-year period. The indications, contraindications, techniques, interpretation, advantages, disadvantages, and complications of lavage and scanning are presented. A protocol using radionuclide imaging for initial evaluation of blunt abdominal trauma is proposed and representative case studies are included to support this approach.