What condition is peritoneal lavage intended to diagnose in trauma patients?

Peritoneal lavage is a procedure used to diagnose internal injuries in trauma patients, particularly those involving visceral organs. The primary purpose of peritoneal lavage is to detect organ rupture and intestinal bleeding. During this procedure, a catheter is inserted into the peritoneal cavity, and a sterile solution is infused. After allowing some time for the solution to mix with any bodily fluids or blood present, it is then aspirated back out for analysis.

The presence of blood, bile, or other fluids in the aspirated lavage can indicate serious injuries, such as ruptured organs or significant internal bleeding, which require immediate medical intervention. This makes peritoneal lavage a critical tool in the management of trauma patients, helping to guide further diagnostic and therapeutic actions.

The other options do not align with the primary applications of peritoneal lavage. Appendicitis and cholecystitis are typically diagnosed through clinical examination and imaging studies rather than peritoneal lavage. Similarly, pneumonia is a respiratory condition and unrelated to the abdominal assessment that peritoneal lavage provides.