Negative laparotomy for abdominal injury.

From 1985 through 1987 455 patients with abdominal trauma were treated. Four hundred and twelve patients (90.5%) underwent explore laparotomy with 65 negative laparotomies (15.77%). Analysis of 65 negative laparotomies was done and revealed negative laparotomies rate for blunt, gunshot or ballistic, and stabbing injuries were 14.6, 14.5 and 21.2 percents. Diagnostic peritoneal lavage and local wound exploration should be done to evaluate intraabdominal organ injury in suspected or uncertained patients with stabbing injury before undergo explore laparotomy.