Percutaneous Peritoneal Lavage Using the Veress Needle

Abstract
A modification of past percutaneous methods for peritoneal lavage is described which combines the safety of the Veress Needle with the utility of a readily available introducer-dilator catheter. The technique has been used in 30 patients seen for blunt abdominal trauma and has been found to be a reliable and accurate method for peritoneal lavage.