Peritonitis

Peritonitis
Other names	Surgical abdomen, acute abdomen[1]
Peritonitis from tuberculosis
Pronunciation	/pɛrɪtəˈnaɪtɪs/
Specialty	Emergency medicine, general surgery
Symptoms	Severe pain, swelling of the abdomen, fever[2][3]
Complications	Sepsis (sepsis is likely if not quickly treated), shock, acute respiratory distress syndrome[4][5]
Usual onset	Sudden[1]
Types	Primary, secondary, tertiary, generalized, localized[1]
Causes	Perforation of the intestinal tract, pancreatitis, pelvic inflammatory disease, cirrhosis, ruptured appendix[3]
Risk factors	Ascites, peritoneal dialysis[4]
Diagnostic method	Examination, blood tests, medical imaging[6]
Treatment	Antibiotics, intravenous fluids, pain medication, surgery[3][4]
Frequency	Relatively common[1]

Peritonitis is inflammation of the localized or generalized peritoneum, the lining of the inner wall of the abdomen and cover of the abdominal organs.^[2] Symptoms may include severe pain, swelling of the abdomen, fever, or weight loss.^[2][3] One part or the entire abdomen may be tender.^[1] Complications may include shock and acute respiratory distress syndrome.^[4][5]

Causes include perforation of the intestinal tract, pancreatitis, pelvic inflammatory disease, stomach ulcer, cirrhosis, a ruptured appendix or even a perforated gallbladder.^[3] Risk factors include ascites (the abnormal build-up of fluid in the abdomen) and peritoneal dialysis.^[4] Diagnosis is generally based on examination, blood tests, and medical imaging.^[6]

Treatment often includes antibiotics, intravenous fluids, pain medication, and surgery.^[3][4] Other measures may include a nasogastric tube or blood transfusion.^[4] Without treatment death may occur within a few days.^[4] About 20% of people with cirrhosis who are hospitalized have peritonitis.^[1]