TY  - JOUR
T1  - ALkaline phosphatase in intestinal perforation
AU  - Lee YN
Y1  - 1969/04/14
N1  - 10.1001/jama.1969.03160020129026
JO  - JAMA
SP  - 361
EP  - 361
VL  - 208
IS  - 2
N2  - To the Editor:— 
    The value of using abdominal paracentesis and peritoneal lavage to detect acute intraabdominal pathologic conditions is well reported in the literature. The appearance, color, odor, pH, amylase levels, cell counts, and bacteriological examinations of the fluid can be used to detect bleeding, evidence of perforated viscus, pancreatitis, peritonitis, strangulated bowel, etc.Root et al1 showed that an elevated white blood cell count (more than 2,000/cu mm) in the peritoneal fluid is significant for the diagnosis of ruptured viscera. The interval from time of peritoneal injury to initial appearance of leukocytes in the aspirated fluid is about two hours. Mansberger2 reported that elevated ammonia levels above 3.0 μg/cc in peritoneal fluid could rule out pancreatitis and suggested the presence of strangulated, perforated ulcers, lacerated intestine, or urinary extravasation. Another possible test of the peritoneal fluid for evidence of intestinal perforation is suggested here.During the course
SN  - 0098-7484
M3  - doi: 10.1001/jama.1969.03160020129026
UR  - http://dx.doi.org/10.1001/jama.1969.03160020129026
ER  -