Contribution of peritoneal puncture lavage in injuries of the abdomen. Retrospective study of 230 cases

: The authors' aim was to study the reliability and limitations of peritoneal puncture lavage. They report 230 cases of abdominal contusion, collected between 1980 and 1984. The mean reliability was 93%, 6% of results were false positives. The risk of false negative results was 1%. Indications, sensitivity and specificity are analysed and discussed.