An Observational Study of the Etiology, Clinical Presentation and Outcomes Associated with Peritonitis in Lilongwe, Malawi
Public DepositedAdd to collection
You do not have access to any existing collections. You may create a new collection.
Downloadable Content
Download PDFCitation
MLA
Samuel, Jonathan C, et al. An Observational Study of the Etiology, Clinical Presentation and Outcomes Associated with Peritonitis In Lilongwe, Malawi. BioMed Central Ltd, 2011. https://doi.org/10.17615/fsyb-3w77APA
Samuel, J., Qureshi, J., Mulima, G., Shores, C., Cairns, B., & Charles, A. (2011). An Observational Study of the Etiology, Clinical Presentation and Outcomes Associated with Peritonitis in Lilongwe, Malawi. BioMed Central Ltd. https://doi.org/10.17615/fsyb-3w77Chicago
Samuel, Jonathan C, Javeria S Qureshi, Gift Mulima, Carol G Shores, Bruce Cairns, and Anthony Charles. 2011. An Observational Study of the Etiology, Clinical Presentation and Outcomes Associated with Peritonitis In Lilongwe, Malawi. BioMed Central Ltd. https://doi.org/10.17615/fsyb-3w77- Creator
-
Samuel, Jonathan C
- Affiliation: School of Medicine, Department of Surgery
- Other Affiliation: Department of Surgery, Kamuzu Central Hospital
-
Qureshi, Javeria S
- Affiliation: School of Medicine, Department of Surgery
- Other Affiliation: Department of Surgery, Kamuzu Central Hospital
-
Mulima, Gift
- Other Affiliation: Department of Surgery, Kamuzu Central Hospital
-
Shores, Carol G
- Affiliation: N.C. Cancer Hospital, UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center
-
Cairns, Bruce
- Affiliation: School of Medicine, Department of Surgery
- Other Affiliation: North Carolina Jaycee Burn Center
-
Charles, Anthony
- Affiliation: School of Medicine, Department of Surgery
- Abstract
- Abstract: Introduction: Peritonitis is a life-threatening condition with a multitude of etiologies that can vary with geographic location. The aims of this study were to elucidate the etiology, clinical presentation and outcomes associated with peritonitis in Lilongwe, Malawi. Methods: All patients admitted to Kamuzu Central Hospital (KCH) who underwent an operation for treatment of peritonitis during the calendar year 2008 were eligible. Peritonitis was defined as abdominal rigidity, rebound tenderness, and/or guarding in one or more abdominal quadrants. Subjects were identified from a review of the medical records for all patients admitted to the adult general surgical ward and the operative log book. Those who met the definition of peritonitis and underwent celiotomy were included. Results: 190 subjects were identified. The most common etiologies were appendicitis (22%), intestinal volvulus (17%), perforated peptic ulcer (11%) and small bowel perforation (11%). The overall mortality rate associated with peritonitis was 15%, with the highest mortality rates observed in solid organ rupture (35%), perforated peptic ulcer (33%), primary/idiopathic peritonitis (27%), tubo-ovarian abscess (20%) and small bowel perforation (15%). Factors associated with death included abdominal rigidity, generalized (versus localized) peritonitis, hypotension, tachycardia and anemia (p < 0.05). Age, gender, symptoms (obstipation, vomiting) and symptom duration, tachypnea, abnormal temperature, leukocytosis, hemoconcentration, thrombocytopenia and thrombocytosis were not associated with mortality (p = NS). Conclusions: There are several signs and laboratory findings predictive of poor outcome in Malawian patients with peritonitis. Tachycardia, hypotension, anemia, abdominal rigidity and generalized peritonitis are the most predictive of death (P < 0.05 for each). Similar to studies from other African countries, in our population the most common cause of peritonitis was appendicitis, and the overall mortality rate among all patients with peritonitis was 15%. Identified geographical differences included intestinal volvulus, rare in the US but the 2nd most common cause of peritonitis in Malawi and gallbladder disease, common in Ethiopia but not observed in Malawi. Future research should investigate whether correction of factors associated with mortality might improve outcomes.
- Date of publication
- November 8, 2011
- DOI
- Identifier
- Resource type
- Article
- Rights statement
- In Copyright
- Rights holder
- Jonathan C Samuel et al.; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.
- License
- Journal title
- World Journal of Emergency Surgery
- Journal volume
- 6
- Journal issue
- 1
- Page start
- 37
- Language
- English
- Is the article or chapter peer-reviewed?
- Yes
- ISSN
- 1749-7922
- Bibliographic citation
- World Journal of Emergency Surgery. 2011 Nov 08;6(1):37
- Publisher
- BioMed Central Ltd
- Access right
- Open Access
- Date uploaded
- August 23, 2012
Relations
- Parents:
This work has no parents.
Items
Thumbnail | Title | Date Uploaded | Visibility | Actions |
---|---|---|---|---|
1749-7922-6-37.pdf | 2019-05-06 | Public | Download | |
1749-7922-6-37.xml | 2019-05-06 | Public | Download |