Learn About Secondary Peritonitis

What is the definition of Secondary Peritonitis?

The peritoneum is the thin tissue that lines the inner wall of the abdomen and covers most of the organs in the abdomen. Peritonitis is present when this tissue becomes inflamed or infected. Secondary peritonitis is when another condition is the cause.

What are the alternative names for Secondary Peritonitis?

Secondary peritonitis

What are the causes of Secondary Peritonitis?

Secondary peritonitis has several major causes.

  • Bacteria may enter the peritoneum through a hole (perforation) in an organ of the digestive tract. The hole may be caused by a ruptured appendix, stomach ulcer, or perforated colon. It may also come from an injury, such as a gunshot or knife wound or following the ingestion of a sharp foreign body.
  • Bile or chemicals released by the pancreas may leak into the abdominal cavity. This may be caused by swelling and inflammation of the pancreas called pancreatitis.
  • Tubes or catheters placed into the abdomen may cause this problem. These include catheters for peritoneal dialysis, feeding tubes, and others.

An infection of the bloodstream (sepsis) may lead to an infection in the abdomen also. This is a severe illness.

This tissue may become infected when there is no clear cause.

Necrotizing enterocolitis occurs when the lining of the intestinal wall dies and can lead to peritonitis. This problem nearly always develops in an infant who is ill or born early.

What are the symptoms of Secondary Peritonitis?

Symptoms include:

  • Swollen abdomen when your belly area is bigger than usual
  • Abdominal pain
  • Decreased appetite
  • Fever
  • Low urine output
  • Nausea
  • Thirst
  • Vomiting

Note: There may be signs of shock.

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What are the current treatments for Secondary Peritonitis?

Often, surgery is needed to remove or treat sources of infection. These may be an infected bowel, an inflamed appendix, or an abscess or perforated diverticulum, usually due to diverticulitis.

General treatment includes:

  • Antibiotics
  • Fluids through a vein (IV)
  • Pain medicines
  • Tube through the nose into the stomach or intestine (nasogastric or NG tube)
Who are the top Secondary Peritonitis Local Doctors?
Mokenge P. Malafa
General Surgery | Surgical Oncology
General Surgery | Surgical Oncology

H Lee Moffitt Cancer Ctr And Res Inst Life Time Cancer Scrn Ctr Inc

12902 Usf Magnolia Dr, 
Tampa, FL 
 20.8 mi
Accepting New Patients
Offers Telehealth

Mokenge Malafa is a General Surgeon and a Surgical Oncologist in Tampa, Florida. Dr. Malafa and is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Secondary Peritonitis. His top areas of expertise are Pancreatic Cancer, Familial Pancreatic Cancer, Pancreatic Adenoma, Pancreatectomy, and Pancreaticoduodenectomy. Dr. Malafa is currently accepting new patients.

General Surgery
General Surgery

Florida Hospital Physician Group Inc

13901 Bruce B Downs Blvd, 
Tampa, FL 
 20.3 mi
Accepting New Patients

Priya Sharma is a General Surgeon in Tampa, Florida. Dr. Sharma and is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Secondary Peritonitis. Her top areas of expertise are Cellulitis, Familial Colorectal Cancer, Biliary Dyskinesia, Hernia Surgery, and Small Bowel Resection. Dr. Sharma is currently accepting new patients.

 
 
 
 
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Colorectal Surgery | General Surgery
Colorectal Surgery | General Surgery

H Lee Moffitt Cancer Ctr And Res Inst Life Time Cancer Scrn Ctr Inc

12902 Usf Magnolia Dr, 
Tampa, FL 
 20.8 mi
Accepting New Patients
Offers Telehealth

Julian Sanchez is a Colorectal Surgeon and a General Surgeon in Tampa, Florida. Dr. Sanchez and is rated as an Experienced provider by MediFind in the treatment of Secondary Peritonitis. His top areas of expertise are Colorectal Cancer, Familial Colorectal Cancer, Anal Cancer, Hernia Surgery, and Ileostomy. Dr. Sanchez is currently accepting new patients.

What is the outlook (prognosis) for Secondary Peritonitis?

The outcome can range from complete recovery to overwhelming infection and death. Factors that determine the outcome include:

  • How long the symptoms were present before treatment began
  • The person's general health
What are the possible complications of Secondary Peritonitis?

Complications may include:

  • Abscess
  • Gangrene (dead) bowel requiring surgery
  • Intraperitoneal adhesions (a potential cause of future bowel blockage)
  • Septic shock
When should I contact a medical professional for Secondary Peritonitis?

Contact your provider if you have symptoms of peritonitis. This is a serious condition. It needs emergency treatment in most cases.

What are the latest Secondary Peritonitis Clinical Trials?
Delayed Primary Closure Using Negative Pressure Wound Therapy

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...

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Prospective, Randomized Trial of Personalized Medicine with Pentaglobin® After Surgical Infectious Source Control in Patients with Peritonitis

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...

Who are the sources who wrote this article ?

Published Date: June 11, 2024
Published By: Jenifer K. Lehrer, MD, Department of Gastroenterology, Aria - Jefferson Health Torresdale, Jefferson Digestive Diseases Network, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

What are the references for this article ?

Mathews JB, Turaga K. Surgical peritonitis and other diseases of the peritoneum, mesentery, omentum, and diaphragm. In: Feldman M, Friedman LS, Brandt LJ, eds. Sleisenger and Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease. 11th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 39.

Privratsky AM, Barreto JC, Turnage RH, Mizell J, Badgwell B. Abdominal wall, umbilicus, peritoneum, mesenteries, omentum, and retroperitoneum. In: Townsend CM Jr, Beauchamp RD, Evers BM, Mattox KL, eds. Sabiston Textbook of Surgery. 21st ed. St Louis, MO: Elsevier; 2022:chap 44.