Peritonitis

Peritonitis is a common and serious surgical disease caused by bacterial infection, chemical irritation, or injury. Most cases are secondary peritonitis, originating from intra-abdominal organ infections, necrotic perforation, trauma, etc. Its main clinical manifestations include abdominal pain, abdominal tenderness, abdominal muscle rigidity, as well as nausea, vomiting, fever, and elevated white blood cell count. In severe cases, it can lead to decreased blood pressure and systemic toxic reactions. If not treated in time, patients may die of toxic shock. Some patients may develop pelvic abscess, interloop abscess, subphrenic abscess, iliac fossa abscess, and adhesive intestinal obstruction. Therefore, actively preventing the occurrence of peritonitis, and achieving early diagnosis and removal of the focus after onset, are very important. The main clinical manifestations of peritonitis in the early stage are peritoneal irritation signs (such as abdominal pain, tenderness, abdominal muscle rigidity, and rebound tenderness). In the later stage, due to infection and toxin absorption, the main manifestations are systemic infectious and toxic symptoms. Early appropriate treatment of intra-abdominal inflammatory diseases that may cause peritonitis is the fundamental measure to prevent peritonitis. If peritonitis is not treated promptly and effectively, multiple system failure will rapidly occur. Fluid loss into the abdominal cavity and intestines can lead to severe dehydration and electrolyte imbalance. The patient may develop a mask-like facial expression (Hippocratic facies) and may die within a few days. Adult respiratory distress syndrome can also appear rapidly, followed by renal failure, hepatic failure, and disseminated intravascular coagulation.