Peritonitis

Perforated Viscus

• Peritonitis is the inflammation of the peritoneum
• Generalized peritonitis is most caused by perforation of an abdominal viscus.
• The causes of perforation are broad but include:
  • peptic ulceration,
  • small or large bowel obstruction,
  • diverticular disease,
  • and inflammatory bowel disease.

Types

• Peritoneum peritonitis

• Generalized Peritonitis

• Localized Peritonitis

• Tuberculous Peritonitis

• Primary Peritonitis

Peritonitis and Peritonism….

Peritonism Peritonism (not peritonitis) refers to the localized inflammation of the peritoneum, usually due to inflammation of a viscus that then irritates the visceral (and subsequently, parietal) peritoneum. This leads to patients stating that their abdominal pain starts in one place (irritation of the visceral peritoneum) before localizing to another area (irritation of the parietal peritoneum) or becoming generalize

Complications of Peritonitis

• Systemic:

  • Septic shock, pneumonia, respiratory failure, multi-system failure

• Local:

  • Adhesions, paralytic ileus, abscess formation (residual or recurrent), portal pyaemia, liver abscess