Peritonitis

General description of the disease

It is an inflammatory process of the serous membrane, which covers the peritoneum and internal organs. This pathology is accompanied by disruption of the internal organs and general intoxication of the body.

Inflammatory pathologies of the peritoneum have been mentioned thousands of years before our era. Our ancestors called this disease “Antonov fire” and did not respond to treatment. The first to describe the clinical picture of peritonitis was Hippocrates.

A “sharp abdomen” usually develops due to a bacterial infection that affects the peritoneal organs. According to statistics, up to 20% of patients with acute surgical pathology are susceptible to peritonitis. At the same time, people with low immunity, impaired liver function, renal failure, as well as diseases that can lead to a violation of the organ membrane fall into the risk group.

Causes

Peritonitis, as a rule, causes perforation of the hollow organs of the digestive system, as a result of which foreign substances enter the peritoneal region (for example, bile, pancreatic or gastric secretions, urine). Perforation of hollow organs can be provoked by:

• stomach ulcer;
• typhoid fever;
• hernia with intestinal necrosis;
• traumatic injuries to the peritoneal region;
• duodenal ulcer;
• inflammation of the appendix;
• damage to the intestinal walls due to the ingress of foreign objects there;
• malignant tumors;
• inflammatory pathologies of the peritoneum;
• intestinal obstruction;
• surgical operations in the peritoneal region;
• gynecological pathologies of the upper genital tract;
• pancreatitis;
• perforation of the uterus during abortion;
• purulent cholecystitis;
• pelvic inflammation^[3].

Also, the cause of peritonitis can be pathogenic microorganisms of staphylococcus, Escherichia coli, gonococcus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, tuberculosis bacteria, streptococcus.

Symptoms

The clinical signs of peritonitis include:

1. 1 pallor of the skin;
2. 2 pain in the abdominal region, which becomes more intense when sneezing, coughing or changing body position. At first, the pain syndrome is localized in the area of ​​the affected organ, then spreads throughout the peritoneum. If you do not provide assistance to the patient in time, then the tissue of the peritoneum will die and the pain will disappear;
3. 3 constipation;
4. 4 lack of appetite;
5. 5 severe weakness;
6. 6 the patient is worried about flatulence;
7. 7 in some cases, an increase in body temperature up to fever;
8. 8 lowering blood pressure;
9. 9 nausea and vomiting mixed with bile;
10. 10 a feeling of fear of death, clammy cold sweat;
11. 11 pain sensations decrease with a decrease in the tension of the walls of the peritoneum (the patient pulls up his legs, bent at the knees to the stomach);
12. 12 the patient’s lips become dry;
13. 13 tachycardia.

In most cases, inflammation of the peritoneum begins abruptly, the patient feels acute abdominal pain, which is accompanied by bloating, distention, shortness of breath, tachycardia and chills^[4].

Complications

The consequences of peritonitis can be immediate and delayed. Immediate complications include:

• collapse;
• sepsis;
• death of the patient;
• blood clotting;
• acute renal insufficiency;
• the state of shock in the patient;
• heavy bleeding.

Delayed complications include:

• malignant neoplasms;
• adhesion formation;
• postoperative hernia;
• weak intestinal motility;
• problems with conception in women.

Prevention

Since the “acute abdomen” is a complication of diseases of the peritoneal organs, it is important to diagnose and treat pathologies that can lead to it in time. An annual examination by a gastroenterologist is also recommended, and abdominal injuries should be avoided.

Secondary prevention of relapse of the disease is reduced to the sanitation of all foci of infection in the body.

Treatment in mainstream medicine

Treatment of peritonitis should be timely and comprehensive. It consists of preoperative preparation, surgery and postoperative therapy.

Preoperativewhich lasts 2-3 hours and includes:

1. 1 removal of pain syndrome;
2. 2 antibacterial treatment;
3. 3 therapy of disorders of the cardiovascular system;
4. 4 replenishment of fluid deficiency;
5. 5 premedication.

Operative intervention СЃРѕСЃС,РѕРёС, РёР ·:

• removal of the affected organ or its fragment, which provoked an “acute abdomen”, suturing of ruptures;
• thorough washing of the peritoneal cavity with an antiseptic solution;
• intubations rainbow;
• peritoneal drainage.

Postoperative therapy СЃРѕСЃС,РѕРёС, РёР ·:

1. 1 adequate pain relief;
2. 2 detoxification treatment;
3. 3 immunity strengthening;
4. 4 antibacterial therapy;
5. 5 normalization of the bowels;
6. 6 prevention of complications;
7. 7 treatment of chronic and concomitant diseases.

Attention!

The administration is not responsible for any attempt to use the information provided, and does not guarantee that it will not harm you personally. The materials cannot be used to prescribe treatment and make a diagnosis. Always consult your specialist doctor!