Diagnostic Peritoneal Lavage: Blunt Tip 5mm Trocar - Channeled Drain Technique, Novel Technique

Background: Diagnostic peritoneal lavage (DPL) is an invasive, rapid and highly accurate test for evaluating intraperitoneal hemorrhage or a ruptured hollow viscus. DPL plays a role in both blunt and penetrating abdominal trauma. In this article we are introducing a simple technique that can even speed up the DPL procedure by using blunt tip 5 mm trocar - 15 French Blake silicon drain in a semi-open technique. Method: Semi-open DPL was performed in 11 patients with blunt abdominal trauma (BAT). A blunt tip 5 mm trocar was introduced into the peritoneal cavity blindly and 15 Fr size Blake channeled drain was advanced into the peritoneal cavity and the peritoneal effluent was withdrawn and analyzed. Results: A total of 11 blunt abdominal trauma patients were subjected to 5mm Blunt Tip Trocar-Channeled Drain DPL technique. The DPL was grossly positive in 9 patients (81.8%) and subsequently were managed surgically and in two patients (18.2%) it was grossly and microscopically negative, subsequently both were managed conservatively. There was no complications attributed to this new DPL technique. Conclusion: The preliminary data suggest that blunt tip 5mm trocar - Channeled Drain technique delivers a faster reliable way of performing DPL in trauma patients. However, large number of cases is needed to justify its routine use in trauma.