Peritonitis overview
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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.