Diagnostic Peritoneal Aspiration or Lavage in Stratified Groups of Hypotensive Blunt Trauma Patients.

Background: Some reports suggest Diagnostic peritoneal aspiration (DPA) or lavage (DPL) may better select which hypotensive blunt trauma patients (BTPs) require operation, compared to ultrasonography. However, whether both moderately hypotensive (systolic blood pressure [SBP] < 90 mmHg) and severely hypotensive (SBP < 70 mmHg) patients benefit from DPA/DPL is unclear. We hypothesized DPA/DPL used within the first hour increases risk of death for severely vs moderately hypotensive BTPs.

Methods: The 2017-2019 Trauma Quality Improvement Program database was queried for BTPs ≥ 18 years old with hypotension upon arrival. We compared moderately and severely hypotensive groups. A multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed controlling for age, comorbidities, emergent operation, blood transfusions, and injury profile.

Results: From 134 hypotensive patients undergoing DPA/DPL, 66 (49.3%) had severe hypotension. Patients in both groups underwent an emergent operation (43.9% vs 58.8%, = .09) in a similar amount of time (median, 42-min vs 54-min, = .11). Compared to the moderately hypotensive group, severely hypotensive patients had a higher rate and associated risk of death (84.8% vs 50.0%, < .001) (OR 5.40, CI 2.07-14.11, < .001). The strongest independent risk factor for death was age ≥ 65 (OR 24.81, CI 4.06-151.62, < .001).

Discussion: Among all BTPs undergoing DPA/DPL within the first hour of arrival, an over 5-fold increased risk of death for patients with severe hypotension was demonstrated. As such, DPA/DPL within this group should be used with caution, particularly for older patients, as they may be better served by immediate surgeries. Future prospective research is needed to confirm these findings and elucidate the ideal DPA/DPL population in the modern era of ultrasonography.