2. • Peritonitis is a serious condition that starts in
the abdomen.
• That's the area of the body between the chest
and the pelvis.
• Peritonitis happens when the thin layer of tissue
inside the abdomen becomes inflamed.
• Peritonitis usually happens due to an infection
from bacteria or fungi.
3. There are two types of peritonitis:
• Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis. This
infection is caused by bacteria. It can happen
when someone has liver disease, such as
cirrhosis, or kidney disease.
• Secondary peritonitis. Peritonitis can happen
due to a hole, also called a rupture, inside an
organ in the abdomen. Or it can be caused by
other health conditions.
4. Causes
Peritoneum infection is usually caused by a hole in an organ in the
abdomen, such as the stomach and colon. The hole is also called a
rupture. Common causes of a hole that leads to peritonitis include:
• Medical procedures
• Peritoneal dialysis uses tubes, also called catheters, to
remove waste products from the blood.
• Peritonitis also may happen after digestive surgery.
• In rare cases, it can be a complication of an exam to check
inside the rectum and colon called colonoscopy.
• Peritonitis can happen after a procedure to check the
digestive tract called endoscopy.
5. • A ruptured appendix, stomach ulcer or hole in the
colon. Any of these conditions can allow bacteria to get
into the peritoneum through a hole in digestive tract.
• Pancreatitis. Pancreatitis can spread bacteria outside the
pancreas. That may lead to peritonitis.
• Diverticulitis. Infection of small, bulging pouches in the
digestive tract may cause peritonitis. This could happen
if one of the pouches breaks open. The burst pouch
could spill waste from the intestine into the abdomen.
• Trauma. Injury may cause peritonitis.
6. Risk factors
Some things that raise the risk of peritonitis are:
• Peritoneal dialysis. Peritonitis can happen in people who get
this treatment.
• Other medical conditions. Certain conditions raise risk of
getting peritonitis, such as:
• Liver cirrhosis.
• Appendicitis.
• Stomach ulcers.
• Diverticulitis.
• Crohn's disease.
• Pancreatitis.
7.
8. Symptoms
Symptoms of peritonitis include:
• Belly pain or tenderness.
• Bloating or a feeling of fullness in the abdomen.
• Fever.
• Upset stomach and vomiting.
• Loss of appetite.
• Diarrhea.
• Reduced urine.
• Thirst.
• Not able to pass stool or gas.
• Feeling tired.
• Confusion.
9. Diagnosis
• Blood tests.
• Imaging tests.
• Peritoneal fluid analysis.(Using a thin needle,
doctor may take a sample of the fluid in
peritoneum (paracentesis)
10. COMPLICATION
• A bloodstream infection (bacteremia).
• An infection throughout body (sepsis). Sepsis is
a rapidly progressing, life-threatening condition
that can cause shock and organ failure.
11. Treatment
Spontaneous bacterial peritonitis can be life-threatening. You'll also need to
stay in the hospital for secondary peritonitis. Treatment may include:
• Antibiotics. Antibiotics are usually administered intravenously, but they
may also be infused directly into the peritoneum.Example:Ampicillin.
• Surgery. This is often needed to remove infected tissue, treat the cause of
the infection, and prevent the infection from spreading. Surgery is
important if peritonitis is due to a ruptured appendix, stomach or colon.
• Other treatments. Depending on symptoms, treatment while in the
hospital will likely include:
• Pain medications.
• Fluids given through a tube, called intravenous fluids.
• Oxygen.
• In some cases, a blood transfusion.
12. PREVENTION
• Wash hands, including underneath fingernails
and between fingers, before touching the
catheter.
• Clean the skin around the catheter with an
antiseptic every day.
• Talk with dialysis care team about proper care
for peritoneal dialysis catheter.
