Peritonium

Dr. Muwaffaq Mezeil Telfah

MBChB, MSC, MRCS/Eng
Peritoneum and Intra-abdominal Sepsis

Learning objectives

To recognize and understand:

The concept of peritonitis.

The clinical features of localized and generalized peritonitis.
The common causes and complications of peritonitis.
The principles of surgical management in patients with peritonitis.

Basic facts about peritoneum

The peritoneal membrane is a thin layer lining the peritoneal cavity.
Network of lymphatic vessels and rich plexus of capillary blood vessels.
It consist of two layers.
The parietal peritoneum is richly supplied with nerves.


Clinical implications:
The largest cavity in the body= peritoneal cavity = skin surface area.
Somatic and visceral pain.
All absorption and exudation occur.
Exudation from inflamed peritoneum….. fluid loss.
Absorptive ability…….Peritoneal dialysis.

Peritoneal cavity

Peritonitis

Bacterial infection, e.g. appendicitis, perforated viscus ,tuberculosis.
Chemical injury, e.g. bile peritonitis.
Ischemic injury, e.g. strangulated bowel, vascular occlusion.
Direct trauma, e.g. operation.
Allergic reaction, e.g. starch peritonitis.

Bacterial peritonitis

Poly-microbial in origin:

Gastrointestinal tract e.g. E.Coli, Bacteroids, clostridia, Klebseilla and streptococci.
Non-Gastrointestinal: Chlamydia, Gonococcus, and Mycobacteria.


Mono-microbial e.g. primary spontaneous peritonitis.

Paths to peritoneal infection

Gastrointestinal perforation.
Transmural bacterial translocation (no perforation).
Exogenous contamination.
Female genital tract infection.
Haematogenous spread (rare).

Peritonitis

Localized or generalized

Why ?

Factors which favor the localization
Anatomical factors.

Compartments

Greater sac and lesser sac
Supracolic and infracolic


Peritoneal cavity

Pathological process (localization)

The inflamed peritoneum permeability inflammatory exudates fibrin deposition.
Adherence of loops of intestine .
The peristalsis of the affected bowel will be retarded .






Greater omentum
By enveloping the inflamed structure

Abdominal policeman

Greater omentum = Abdominal policeman

Surgical factors

Drains
providing an exit for the intra-abdominal collections.
Source of exogenous infection.

Factors which favor development of generalized peritonitis

Spread of the peritoneal contamination = perforation of obstructed system.
Stimulation of the peristalsis by food or purgatives or an enema.
The virulence of the infecting micro-organism.
The age of patient: children elderly.
Deficient natural resistance i.e. decreased immunity


Clinical picture:
Severe abdominal pain, referred pain to shoulder.
vomiting.
On examination:
in pain, ill looking.
rising pulse with elevated temperature
Local examination:
reveals localized or generalized tenderness depending on the extent of peritonitis.
Guarding and rigidity.
The abdomen is "silent" i.e. no bowel sounds.
Rectal/ vaginal exam may reveal tenderness.

Hippocratic facies

In advanced cases,

The abdomen becomes distended and tympanitic. The patient become increasingly toxic with rapid thread pulse and cold extremities with cyanosis " circulatory failure“.

Investigation:

Blood tests:
WBC count
Amylase level in pancreatitis.


Imaging studies:
plain X ray of the abdomen
CXR in erect position.
U/S and/or CT Scan.

Treatment:

In case of doubt: early surgical intervention is to be preferred to "wait and see policy" !


1. General care of patient (supportive treatment).
2. Definitive treatment.

Supportive treatment :

Correction of fluid and electrolytes imbalance:
Gastrointestinal decompression:
Antibiotics:
Analgesics:
Vital systems support:

Definitive treatment :

Surgical treatment:
operative treatment of the underlying condition e.g. closure of perforated ulcer or appendicectomy.
peritoneal lavage.
Non-surgical (conservative): indicated for conditions like pancreatitis, spontaneous peritonitis provided that the diagnosis made with certainty.