Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 6, 2026
03:42
Retroperitoneal Laparoscopic Debridement and Drainage for Pancreatic Abscess
Published on: March 15, 2024
Peritonitis: 10 years' experience in a single surgical unit.
Nitin Agarwal1, Sudipta Saha, Anurag Srivastava
1Department of Surgical Disciplines, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi-110029, India. drnitinagarwal@yahoo.com
Tropical Gastroenterology : Official Journal of the Digestive Diseases Foundation
|April 4, 2008
Summary
Small bowel perforation is now the most frequent cause of peritonitis in India, a condition with persistent high mortality rates. Surgical outcomes for peritonitis remain a critical concern in emergency surgery.
Area of Science:
- Gastroenterology
- Surgical Emergencies
- Public Health in India
Background:
- Peritonitis from gut perforation is a common surgical emergency in India, linked to significant morbidity and mortality.
- Previous studies in the same unit (1981-1991) established baseline data for comparison.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the current etiology and outcomes of surgically treated peritonitis.
- To compare findings with historical data from 1981-1991.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of 260 peritonitis patients operated between 1995 and 2006.
- Data collected on clinical presentation, operative findings, and post-operative course.
Main Results:
- Small bowel perforation (113 cases) surpassed peptic perforation as the leading cause.
- Overall mortality was 10%, with higher rates (>20%) in jejunal, gallbladder, and liver abscess perforations.
- Major complication rates were 25%, with a reduced leak rate (4%) compared to previous studies.
Conclusions:
- Small bowel perforation is the predominant cause of peritonitis requiring surgery.
- The overall mortality rate for peritonitis has remained unchanged despite changes in etiology and surgical techniques.
