Translations:Bowel perforation/2/en
- Definition: a full-thickness breach of the intestinal wall, allowing air and/or gastrointestinal contents to enter the surrounding peritoneal cavity
- Can be a potentially life-threatening cause of sepsis
- Typically presents acutely (i.e., appendicitis, diverticulitis, perforated peptic ulcer, penetrating trauma) and often requires immediate surgical intervention.
- When the perforation is immediately contained (i.e., by the omentum or retroperitoneum), it may occasionally present with a more indolent course
- Immunosuppression or systemic corticosteroid therapy may also blunt the inflammatory response resulting in a protracted, indolent presentation.