Learn About 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.
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.
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.
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)
Beth Piraino is a Nephrologist in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Dr. Piraino and is rated as an Elite provider by MediFind in the treatment of Secondary Peritonitis. Her top areas of expertise are Secondary Peritonitis, Chronic Kidney Disease, End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD), and Atypical Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome (aHUS).
Ulrich Spengler practices in Bonn, Germany. Mr. Spengler and is rated as an Elite expert by MediFind in the treatment of Secondary Peritonitis. His top areas of expertise are Spontaneous Bacterial Peritonitis, Hepatitis C, Hepatitis, Secondary Peritonitis, and Liver Transplant.
Talerngsak Kanjanabuch practices in Bangkok, Thailand. Kanjanabuch and is rated as an Elite expert by MediFind in the treatment of Secondary Peritonitis. Their top areas of expertise are Secondary Peritonitis, Peritonitis, Chronic Kidney Disease, Kidney Transplant, and Ileostomy.
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
Complications may include:
- Abscess
- Gangrene (dead) bowel requiring surgery
- Intraperitoneal adhesions (a potential cause of future bowel blockage)
- Septic shock
Contact your provider if you have symptoms of peritonitis. This is a serious condition. It needs emergency treatment in most cases.
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...
Summary: Adnexal torsion is the rotation of the ovary around its vascular axis resulting, in the absence of treatment, ischemia that can lead to peritonitis by necrosis or impaired fertility. It is a gynecological emergency affecting 3% of women of childbearing age, including from adolescence, and requires surgical treatment as soon as possible, classically within 6 hours. The symptomatology of adnexal tor...
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.
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.