Current value of peritoneal tap in blunt XXXX .

@entity1 @entity1661
This study aimed to establish the diagnostic value of paracentesis (peritoneal tap) in the assessment of @entity1 with blunt @entity1661 . Paracentesis, using a four-quadrant puncture technique, was performed in blunt @entity1661 victims presenting to the emergency department of a tertiary-care university medical centre. Pregnant @entity1 , those under 18 or those having an abdominal scar were excluded from the study. All @entity1 then underwent one of the following procedures as indicated: emergency ultrasound, abdominal computed tomography scan, diagnostic peritoneal lavage or laparotomy. Paracentesis results were compared with the results of other tests and surgery in diagnosing haemoperitoneum. Haemoperitoneum was confirmed surgically in six of the seven @entity1 with a positive paracentesis. Nine out of 65 @entity1 with positive clinical findings but negative taps underwent surgical intervention, and abdominal bleeding was confirmed in eight. Three seriously injured @entity1 died before diagnostic studies or laparotomy could be performed. In conclusion, a positive paracentesis result may be used to guide decision-making in the setting of blunt @entity1661 if other diagnostic methods are unavailable. Its high false-negative rate limits its overall usefulness.
