Peritonitis (patient information)

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What is Peritonitis?

Peritonitis is an inflammation (irritation) of the peritoneum, the tissue that lines the wall of the abdomen and covers the abdominal organs.

There are three specific types of peritonitis:

• Spontaneous peritonitis: Spontaneous peritonitis is usually caused by ascites, a collection of fluid in the peritoneal cavity. This usually occurs from liver or kidney failure.
• Secondary peritonitis:Secondary peritonitis is an inflammation of the peritoneum, the tissue lining the abdominal cavity. Secondary means it is due to another condition, most commonly the spread of an infection from the digestive tract.
• Dialysis associated peritonitis: Dialysis-associated peritonitis is inflammation of the lining of the abdominal cavity (peritoneum), which occurs in those who receive peritoneal dialysis.

What are the symptoms of Peritonitis?

• Abdominal distention
• Abdominal pain or tenderness
• Fever
• Fluid in the abdomen
• Inability to pass feces or gas
• Low urine output
• Nausea and vomiting
• Point tenderness
• Thirst

Additional symptoms that may be associated with this disease include:

• Cloudy dialysis fluid (if undergoing peritoneal dialysis)
• Nausea and vomiting
• Shaking chills
• Signs of shock

What are the causes of Peritonitis?

A collection of pus in the abdomen, called an intra-abdominal abscess, may cause peritonitis.

When to seek urgent medical care

Go to the emergency room or call the local emergency number (such as 911) if you have symptoms of peritonitis.

Where to find medical care for Peritonitis

Directions to Hospitals Treating Peritonitis

Prevention of Peritonitis

Prevention depends on the cause and the specific type of peritonitis.

• Spontaneous Peritonitis: Patients with peritoneal catheters should be treated with sterile techniques. In cases of liver failure, antibiotics may help prevent peritonitis from coming back.
• Dialysis associated Peritonitis: Careful sterile technique when performing peritoneal dialysis may help reduce the risk of inadvertently introducing bacteria during the procedure. Some cases are not preventable. Equipment design improvements have made these infections less common.

What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)

With treatment, patients usually do well. Without treatment, the outcome is usually poor. However, in some cases, patients do poorly even with prompt and appropriate treatment.