title: Surgery. Cornstarch peritonitis following the trail of the surgeon's gloves.
abstract: Granulomatous inflammation of the peritoneal surfaces resulting from exposure to cornstarch granules from surgical gloves produces a syndrome of abdominal pair, adynamic ileus, fever, peritonitis, variable white blood cell count, and inflammatory ascites. Symptoms develop three to four weeks after a routine abdominal surgical procedure. Recognition of this entity by nonsurgical means is necessary to avoid reoperation. Paracentesis with examination of fluid by polarized light offers the best method of non-surgical diagnosis. Treatment is with steroids or indomethacin or conservative measures. To prevent the disease, gloves must be washed effectively before operation.
mesh_terms: D000005:Abdomen / Q000601:surgery; D005932:Gloves, Surgical / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006099:Granuloma / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D010538:Peritonitis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D013213:Starch / Q000009:adverse effects
chemical_list: D013213:Starch