FreeMD® Peritonitis: Definition

Peritonitis

Definition

Peritonitis Definition

Common names:

Bacterial Peritonitis
Chemical Peritonitis
Peritoneal Infection
Peritonitis
Spontaneous Peritonitis

A person with peritonitis has inflammation of the peritoneum, usually due to a bacterial infection. The peritoneum is a thin layer of tissue that lines the abdominal organs and the inside of the abdominal wall.

Continue to Peritonitis Incidence

View more Gastrointestinal illness topics

Related Topics:

Abdominal pain
Appendicitis
Ascites
Colitis
Diverticulitis
Gallbladder disease
Pancreatitis
Pelvic inflammatory disease
Perforated ulcer
Toxic megacolon
More...

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Last Updated: Jan 17, 2008 References

Authors: Stephen J. Schueler, MD; John H. Beckett, MD; D. Scott Gettings, MD

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Peritonitis References:

Mowat C, Stanley AJ. Review article: spontaneous bacterial peritonitis--diagnosis, treatment and prevention. Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 2001 Dec;15(12):1851-9.
Navez B, Tassetti V, Scohy JJ, Mutter D, Guiot P, Evrard S, Marescaux J. Laparoscopic management of acute peritonitis. Br J Surg. 1998 Jan;85(1):32-6.
Troidle L, Gorban-Brennan N, Kliger A, Finkelstein FO. Continuous peritoneal dialysis-associated peritonitis: a review and current concepts. Semin Dial. 2003 Nov-Dec;16(6):428-37.