[Peritoneal lavage in children]. / Peritonealspülung im Kindesalter.

ABSTRACT

Blunt abdominal injuries are associated with a high mortality rate. Particularly in children, the most important cause of deaths is delay in diagnosis and treatment. In recent years, peritoneal lavage has been gaining importance as a diagnostic method in such injuries.--Between 1977 to 1980, 315 patients (under the age of 14) suffering from blunt abdominal trauma were treated in our Emergency Department. Peritoneal lavage was performed in 268 of them. In this article, results of routinely performed peritoneal lavage are discussed and the diagnostic importance of this test evaluated.