2. Peritnoeum
Made of mesothelium.
Largest cavity in the body
Composed of flattened polyhedral cells, resting on fibro-elastic
membrane.
Beneath the peritoneum lies loos areolar tissue which has rich
supply of capillaries and lymphatics.
3. Visceral Peritoneum: Poorly supplied by blood vessels hence
cannot localize pain properly.
Parietal Peritoneum: Richly supplied by blood vessels can
localize pain better
4. Peritonitis
Defined as inflammation of the peritoneum.
May be localized or generalized.
In most cases there is bacterial invasion hence when it is said that
there is peritonitis Bacterial peritonitis.
Even in patients with non bacterial peritonitis like those d/t
Pancreatitis Eventually gets infected d/t transmural spread from
the gut.
7. Microbiology: (Those from GI tract)
Peritoneal infection is usually caused by more than 2 strains of
bacteria.
Gram negative endotoxins (lipopolysaccharides) TNF
Endotoxic shock Tissue perfusion
These organisms are present in the lower GI tract and do respond
to Penicillins rather to metronidazole and clindamycin and
cephalosporins
8. Non gastrointestinal causes of Peritonitis
Pelvic infection via fallopian tubes are one of the major causes of
Non GI cause of peritonitis.
The most common organisms being Chlamydia or gonococcus.
Chlamydia Fitz Hugh Curtis Syndrome (perihepatitis)
Fungal Peritonitis In severely ill patients or
Immunocompramised patients.
10. Localized Peritonitis
Anatomical and pathological factors help confining infection to
localized areas.
Greater sac is divided into
Subphrenic space
The pelvis
Peritoneal cavity proper.
Supracolic and infracolic (division by transverse colon and transverse
mesocolon)
When supracolic compartment overflows, it does so over to
infracolic region/paracolic gutters/pelvis.
11. Pathological
Peritoneum
• Inflammed peritoneum loses sheen
Fibrin
• Flakes of fibrin appear loops of intestine become adherent to each other
Leukocytes
• Outpouring of serous fluid rich in leukocytes which later becomes frank pus
Ileus Prevents spread of infection Greater omentum seals the area.
12. Diffuse peritonitis
Factors favoring spread of peritonitis.
Speed of peritoneal contamination
Ingestion of food.
Virulence of infecting organism
Young children with small omentum.
Disruption of localized collection
Immune deficiency
With appropriate treatment localized disease will resolve
About 20% progress to abscess.
13. Clinical features of localized peritonitis
Symptoms and signs are those of the affected organ.
Abdominal pain, specific GI symptoms, malaise, anorexia & nausea.
Then peritoneum gets inflamed
Pain worsens,
Increased temp and pulse rate.
Localized guarding ++
Rebound tenderness ++
If inflammation under the diaphragm Shoulder tip Pain+
Pelvic inflammation: Abdominal signs but severe tenderness of P/R or
P/V
14. Diffuse peritonitis
Early
Pain Worsened by movement
Initially at the site of lesion then followed by spread elsewhere.
Tenderness and generalized guarding
Decreased bowel sounds as Paralytic ileus sets in
Increased temperature and pulse
17. Imaging
Erect X-ray abdomen – Air under the diaphragm
Supine X-ray – Distended bowel loops
CECT – To localize the condition.
USG abdomen – To localize the condition.
18. Management
General Care for the patient
Correction of fluid loss and circulating volume.
Urinary catheterization and output monitoring.
Antibiotic therapy.
Analgesia
Specific treatment for the condition.
Early surgery following localization of the lesion
In case of causes relating to non GI like Salpingitis or Pancreatitis then
non-operative treatment.
22. Bile peritonitis:
Usually occurs following Lap. Cholecystectomy on damaging the
biliary tract or a duodenal stump blow out.
Extravasated bile gets collected and causes local chemical
peritonitis laparotomy and evaluation
Source of bile leak should be identified and treated.
Laparotomy wound is not closed unless the leak is dealt with.
Usually dealt with placement of drain and ERCP and stenting of the
CBD.
23. Primary peritonitis or Spontaneous bacterial
peritonitis:
D/t Pneumococci occurs in Cirrhosis or Nephrotic syndrome.
Rarely in Female children (3-9 yrs)
Sudden onset with pain over lower abdomen
Raised temp
Vomiting but after 24-48 hrs Profuse diarrhea
Peritonism + but less than perforation peritonitis.
Investigations:
Leukocytes >30k with > 90 % polymorphs
If peritoneal fluid is odourless and sticky then almost certain diagnosis
Peritoneal fluid can be sent for evaluation