Pathophysiological changes in peritonitis

Peritonitis signifies inflammation of peritoneum, whose cause is not specific. It can be regarded as local equivalent of systemic inflammatory response which is seen after any trigger of inflammation and referred to as "systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS)". Intraabdominal infection is actually peritonitis caused by bacteria (local systemic inflammatory process caused by bacteria and their toxins). It can be regarded as a local equivalent of systemic sepsis. Because most of clinically significant peritonitis are caused by bacteria, both of terms are used simultaneously. Peritonitis takes place together with many, complex pathophysiological changes on systemic and cellular level. Consequences of peritonitis depend on the result of the battle between two main forces: the patient's systemic and peritoneal defense on one side, and the nature and duration of contamination on other side.