Peritonitis overview: Difference between revisions
No edit summary |
|||
| Line 4: | Line 4: | ||
==Overview== | ==Overview== | ||
'''Peritonitis''' is defined as [[inflammation]] of the [[peritoneum]] (the [[serous membrane]] which lines part of the [[abdomen|abdominal cavity]] and some of the [[viscera]] it contains). It may be localised or generalised, generally has an acute course, and may depend on either [[infection]] (often due to rupture of a hollow [[viscus]]) or on a non-infectious process. Peritonitis generally represents a [[surgical emergency]]. | '''Peritonitis''' is defined as [[inflammation]] of the [[peritoneum]] (the [[serous membrane]] which lines part of the [[abdomen|abdominal cavity]] and some of the [[viscera]] it contains). It may be localised or generalised, generally has an acute course, and may depend on either [[infection]] (often due to rupture of a hollow [[viscus]]) or on a non-infectious process. Peritonitis generally represents a [[surgical emergency]]. | ||
==Pathophysiology== | |||
The [[peritoneum]] normally appears greyish and glistening; it becomes dull 2-4 hours after the onset of peritonitis, initially with scarce, [[serous]], or slightly [[turbid]] fluid. Later on, the [[exudate]] becomes creamy and evidently [[suppurative]]; in dehydrated patients, it also becomes very inspissated. The quantity of accumulated [[exudate]] varies widely. It may be spread to the whole [[peritoneum]], or be walled off by the [[omentum]] and [[viscera]]. [[Inflammation]] features infiltration by [[neutrophils]] with fibrino-purulent exudation. | |||
==References== | ==References== | ||
{{reflist|2}} | {{reflist|2}} | ||
Revision as of 19:19, 3 April 2013
|
Peritonitis Main Page |
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
Overview
Peritonitis is defined as inflammation of the peritoneum (the serous membrane which lines part of the abdominal cavity and some of the viscera it contains). It may be localised or generalised, generally has an acute course, and may depend on either infection (often due to rupture of a hollow viscus) or on a non-infectious process. Peritonitis generally represents a surgical emergency.
Pathophysiology
The peritoneum normally appears greyish and glistening; it becomes dull 2-4 hours after the onset of peritonitis, initially with scarce, serous, or slightly turbid fluid. Later on, the exudate becomes creamy and evidently suppurative; in dehydrated patients, it also becomes very inspissated. The quantity of accumulated exudate varies widely. It may be spread to the whole peritoneum, or be walled off by the omentum and viscera. Inflammation features infiltration by neutrophils with fibrino-purulent exudation.