Protein electrophoresis of diagnostic peritoneal lavage in penetrating abdominal trauma: A marker of significant injury

Abstract

Abstract Protein electrophoresis of diagnostic peritoneal lavage fluid has been shown in experimental work to be a marker of hollow viscus injury. In order to ascertain the value of this investigation in penetrating abdominal trauma, we conducted a prospective study, over a 4-month period, involving 35 patients with stab wounds to the abdomen whose initial clinical examination was equivocal. The results of electrophoresis were compared with the standard quantitative criteria for diagnostic lavage and the operative findings. Protein electrophoresis was found to be a more sensitive and specific marker of significant intra-abdominal injury than the standard quantitative criteria.