American journal of surgery
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The clinical value of an elevated white blood cell (WBC) count on a diagnostic peritoneal lavage (DPL) performed in an asymptomatic patient with a penetrating abdominal stab wound is controversial. ⋯ Patients lavaged at a mean 6 to 7 hours after an abdominal stab wound will have a significant incidence of false-positive studies based on an elevated WBC count alone. Lavage WBC counts > 3,000/mm3, particularly when associated with a serum WBC count > 11,000, are likely to be true positives and to indicate injury to the GI tract.