SPECTRUM OF SECONDARY PERITONITIS DUE TO HOLLOW VISCUS PERFORATION IN A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL

BACKGROUND: Peritonitis as a result of hollow viscus perforation is one of the most common surgical emergencies in India and all over the world. The etiology of perforation in India is different from Western counterpart. The objective of the study is to enlighten the spectrum of secondary peritonitis as a result of hollow viscus perforation encountered at a Tertiary care center in coastal Karnataka. METHODS: This is retrospective study of 105 cases of perforation peritonitis seen and treated over a period of 3 years. All the cases were analysed with respect to clinical presentation, operative findings and postoperative course. RESULTS: The maximum number of patients in our study was in the age group of 61-70 years. There were 78 males (74.29%) as compared to 27 females (25.71%). The most commonest site of perforation in our study was gastro-duodenal (75), appendicular (13), small bowel (9), and colonic perforation (3). The complication rate (51.42%), mortality rate (0.95%). CONCLUSION: Upper gastrointestinal tract perforation constitutes majority of the cases when compared to lower gastrointestinal tract perforation which is more common in Western population. The significant rate of mortality can be attributed to delay in presentation and elder age with associated comorbidities. The traumatic gastrointestinal injury is also one of the important injuries in motor vehicle accidents which warrant early recognition and immediate prompt management to avoid morbidity and mortality.