Peritonitis Overview
Learn About Peritonitis
Peritonitis is an inflammation (irritation) of the peritoneum. This is the thin tissue that lines the inner wall of the abdomen and covers most of the abdominal organs.
Acute abdomen; Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis; SBP; Cirrhosis - spontaneous peritonitis
Peritonitis is caused by a collection of blood, body fluids, or pus in the belly (abdomen).
One type is called spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP). It occurs in people with ascites. Ascites is the buildup of fluid in the space between the lining of the abdomen and the organs. This problem is found in people with long-term liver damage, certain cancers, and heart failure.
Peritonitis may be a result of other problems. This is known as secondary peritonitis. Problems that may lead to this type of peritonitis include:
- Trauma or wounds to the belly
- Ruptured appendix
- Ruptured diverticula
- Infection after any surgery in the belly
Your belly is very painful or tender. The pain may become worse when your belly is touched or when you move.
Your belly may look or feel bloated. This is called abdominal distention.
Other symptoms may include:
- Fever and chills
- Passing little or no stools or gas
- Excessive fatigue
- Passing less urine
- Nausea and vomiting
- Racing heartbeat
- Shortness of breath
The cause must be identified and treated right away. Treatment typically involves surgery, antibiotics, or both.
General Physician PC
Steven Barone is a Colorectal Surgeon and a General Surgeon in West Seneca, New York. Dr. Barone and is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Peritonitis. His top areas of expertise are Retroperitoneal Inflammation, Umbilical Hernia, Ogilvie Syndrome, Hernia Surgery, and Colostomy.
Surgical Associates Of Western Ny PC
Kenneth Eckhert is a General Surgeon in West Seneca, New York. Dr. Eckhert and is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Peritonitis. His top areas of expertise are Hernia, Gallbladder Disease, Hiatal Hernia, Hernia Surgery, and Gastrostomy.
Surgical Associates Of Western Ny PC
Rurik Johnson is a General Surgeon and a Vascular Surgeon in West Seneca, New York. Dr. Johnson and is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Peritonitis. His top areas of expertise are Hernia, Gallbladder Disease, Omphalocele, Hernia Surgery, and Gastrostomy.
Peritonitis can be life threatening and may cause complications. These depend on the type of peritonitis.
Go to the emergency room or call 911 or the local emergency number if you have symptoms of peritonitis.
Summary: Surgical site infection rates for contaminated or dirty laparotomy wounds can be as high as 45%. Surgical management of dirty and contaminated wounds has been controversial in the literature and between surgeons. Primary closure (PC) of these wounds can lead to multiple complications including surgical site infection (SSI), necrotizing soft tissue infection, wound and fascial dehiscence, eviscerat...
Summary: The aim of this prospective, randomized, controlled trial is to provide evidence for adjuvant IgGAM treatment with regard to 1. Improvement of patient outcomes for peritonitis. Improvement in outcome will be determined by scores such as MOF, SOFA and survival. 2. Identification of biomarkers (including immunoglobulin levels, HLA-DR, Nf-kB1 and other immunological biomarkers) to identify patient su...
Published Date: March 31, 2024
Published By: Debra G. Wechter, MD, FACS, General Surgery Practice Specializing in Breast Cancer, Virginia Mason Medical Center, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
Bush LM, Levison ME. Peritonitis and intraperitoneal abscesses. In: Bennett JE, Dolin R, Blaser MJ, eds. Mandell, Douglas, and Bennett's Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases. 9th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 74.
Kuemmerle JF. Inflammatory and anatomic diseases of the intestine, peritoneum, mesentery, and omentum. In: Goldman L, Cooney KA, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 27th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 128.