the Management and Prevention of Peritonitis

- Introduction

Peritonitis is a critical inflammatory condition affecting the peritoneum, the thin membrane that lines the inner abdominal wall and covers the abdominal organs. This condition is predominantly caused by infection, although it can also result from exposure to irritating bodily fluids, ⁽¹⁾.  Intra-abdominal infections (IAIs) are common surgical emergencies and represent an important intra-hospital cause of morbidity and mortality, especially if poorly treated. IAIs represent a notable factor contributing to the loss of both human lives and resources across global hospital settings. The estimated overall mortality rate was 9.2% among patients affected by complicated intra-abdominal infections, ⁽⁶⁾. Given its potential for rapid progression to severe systemic complications, including septicemia, sepsis, multi-organ failure and death, peritonitis is consistently recognized and treated as a medical emergency, ⁽³⁾.  A comprehensive understanding of its classification and the imperative for prompt, evidence-based management is crucial for improving patient outcomes.