title: [Importance of source control in secondary peritonitis].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  In this study we discussed retrospectively secondary peritonitis patients, surgical treatment modalities and their effectiveness in our clinic.
  
  
  METHODS
  91 patients were operated due to diffuse peritonitis between December 1998 through July 2001 in our clinic were analysed by age, sex, etiology of peritonitis, treatment modalities, morbidity and mortality.
  
  
  RESULTS
  32 patients were female (35.2%) and 59 patients were male (64.8%). The median age was 40.4. The most common etiologic factor for secondary peritonitis is peptic ulcus perforation (38.4%). 23 cases (25.2%) had the diagnosis only by physical examination and laboratory assessment. The other cases diagnosed with roentgenographic evaluation. In the first operation, the aim was the source control and eradication. In 3 cases, planned re-laparotomy "staged abdominal repair" (STAR) were performed. Conservative treatment modality was performed for 8 cases. The median hospital stay for the patients were 7.4 day. Morbidity was encountered in 13 (13.6%) and mortality was encountered in 2 (2.1%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Source control must be the primary aim of the first operation for secondary peritonitis patients. If there is an uncertainty for source control, STAR procedure should be the choice of the treatment modality for decrease morbidity and mortality.
authors.affiliation: Sişli Etfal Eğitim ve Araştirma Hastanesi 3. Genel Cerrahi Kliniği, Istanbul. mmihmanli@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Mehmet
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mihmanli
authors.forename: Birol
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Ağca
authors.forename: Ediz
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Altinli
authors.forename: Mehtap
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dinç
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010439:Peptic Ulcer Perforation / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000601:surgery; D010538:Peritonitis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014421:Turkey / Q000453:epidemiology