[Postoperative peritonitis]

In a 5-year-period (1986-1990), 7818 patients underwent abdominal operations. 40 developed diffuse peritonitis postoperatively, of whom 14 (35%) died. Postoperative peritonitis is best subgrouped according to primary surgery (operations on colon, duodenum, small intestine, biliary tract and pancreas; gynecological surgery; interventional operations). Diagnosis relies mainly on clinical signs and laboratory parameters (e.g. serum endotoxin level); imaging techniques may present additional hints. Reoperation should be initiated early. Scheduled relaparotomy was successful in six patients.