Clinical Evaluation and Management Outcomes in Acute Peritonitis: A Prospective Study

Abstract

Introduction: Acute peritonitis is a significant surgery-related medical emergency, which ranges from simple localized peritonitis to systemic peritonitis and sepsis. Perforation of the gastrointestinal tract is a frequent cause of this complication, with the final outcome being affected by the level of severity of the condition, comorbidity, delay in its detection, and ineffective source control.

Method: The observational study was conducted among 90 patients with acute peritonitis as a complication of hollow viscus perforation was performed. The patients whose age was more than 12 years were subjected to clinical, radiological, and intraoperative analysis. Data from the patients were collected and SPSS software version 27 was used for statistical analysis.

Result: Out of 90 cases, more male patients were observed (82.22%), along with the maximum number of patients older than 50 years (35.56%). The most common anatomical location for perforation was the duodenum (55.56%), followed by the ileum (21.11%) and the appendix (14.44%). Vomiting (83.33%) and guarding/rigidity (94.44%) were frequently noted, with a high incidence of pneumoperitoneum (75.56%). Postoperative complications were 60.00% and patients were discharged (92.22%), whereas mortality was 7.78%.

Conclusion: The study concluded that the gastrointestinal perforation affected among old males, with the most common was the duodenal perforation. Apart from substantial morbidity, specific management of surgery is the most significant clinical outcome.