Peritonitis Flashcards
What can the causes of peritonitis be split into
primary infection
secondary infection ( more common )
What are some primary infection causes of peritonitis
spontaneous bacterial peritonitis
medical equipment
What are some secondary infective causes of peritonitis
appendicitis
perforation
rupture
trauma
surgery
What may someone with peritonitis present with
abdominal pain and tenderness
abdominal distension
dehydration
paralytic ileus
fever
nausea and vomiting
tachycardia
dyspnoea
MCI , oedema and thrombocytopenia if ascites
What investigations are required for peritonitis
Bloods- shows a high WCC
Paracentesis - used for both diagnostic and therapeutic purposes as it can relieve pressure from the ascites
What is the management for peritonitis
IV fluids
broad spectrum antibiotics
Specific antibodies can be given after culture results
What may someone with SBP
ascites
abdominal pain
fever
What is spontaneous bacterial peritonitis
form of peritonitis usually seen in patients with ascites secondary to liver cirrhosis
What investigations are required for SBP and what can be seen
paracentesis - neutrophil count >250
What organism is usually found on ascitic fluid culture for SBP
E.coli
What is the management for SBP
IV cefotaxime is usually first line
When should antibiotic prophylaxis usually be given to patients with ascites
– patients have had an episode of SBP
- patients with fluid protein <15g/L and either Child-pugh score of 9 or hepatorenal syndrome
- offer oral ciprofloxacin or norfloxacin
