Pre-operative peritoneal drainage as a part of resuscitation in severe peritonitis

The objective of this prospective observational study was to evaluate the benefits of peritoneal drainage under ultrasonic guidance in cases of severe peritonitis. Fifty cases with peritonitis were included in this study, who were unfit for general anaesthesia, i.e. American Society for Anesthesiologists (ASA) IV plus. The results showed improvement in general condition of the patients in the terms of improved respiration, decreased abdominal distension and circulation. Thus, it was concluded that peritoneal intubation dramatically decreases abdominal distension. Drainage of septic fluid decreases the sepsis, resulting in improvement of organ functions. This procedure has been found to be beneficial and helpful as a supportive procedure in cases where immediate major surgical procedures like laparotomy are not possible due to comorbidities and unstable general condition.