title: [Postoperative peritonitis (author's transl)].
abstract: Postoperative peritonitis is still one of the most common complications following abdominal surgery. The main reason is leakage of an anastomotic suture line. The diagnosis can be masked by a delayed appearance, by veiling of otherwise typical symptoms, or by misjudging minor symptoms. Therefore, the critical evaluation of sometimes minimal intestinal disorders or small changes in heart and respiratory rate seem to be very important. Only early relaparotomy yields satisfactory results. The aims of an operation for peritonitis should be definitive rather than palliative. The cause of peritonitis has to be corrected surgically to manage this severe clinical picture successfully.
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D007813:Laparotomy; D010538:Peritonitis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D011183:Postoperative Complications
vernacular_title: Postoperative Peritonitis: Einführung.