Gastrointestinal perforation

Editor-In-Chief: Prab R Tumpati, MD
Obesity, Sleep & Internal medicine
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Gastrointestinal perforation
Free air under the diaphragm in a case of gastrointestinal perforation
Synonyms	Perforation of the intestine, ruptured bowel
Pronounce	N/A
Specialty	N/A
Symptoms	Severe abdominal pain, fever, nausea, vomiting, tachycardia
Complications	Sepsis, peritonitis, abscess formation
Onset	Sudden
Duration	Acute
Types	N/A
Causes	Peptic ulcer disease, diverticulitis, appendicitis, trauma, cancer
Risks	NSAID use, smoking, alcohol use, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis
Diagnosis	X-ray, CT scan, ultrasound
Differential diagnosis	Acute abdomen, appendicitis, pancreatitis
Prevention	N/A
Treatment	Surgery, antibiotics, supportive care
Medication	N/A
Prognosis	Variable, depends on cause and time to treatment
Frequency	Common
Deaths	N/A

Gastrointestinal perforation, also known as a perforated bowel or ruptured bowel, is a serious medical condition where a hole or tear forms in the wall of any part of the gastrointestinal tract, ranging from the esophagus to the large intestine.

Causes

• Gastrointestinal perforation can occur due to a variety of reasons, including:
• Severe injury or trauma to the abdomen
• Peptic ulcers: These are sores that develop on the lining of the stomach, upper small intestine, or esophagus.
• Appendicitis: Inflammation of the appendix that, if left untreated, can cause the appendix to burst.
• Diverticulitis: Inflammation or infection of small pouches that can form in your digestive system, typically in the lower part of your large intestine.

Symptoms

• Symptoms can vary depending on the location of the perforation, but often include:
• Severe abdominal pain
• Nausea and vomiting
• Chills and fever

Diagnosis and Treatment

• Diagnosis usually involves a physical examination and imaging tests, such as an X-ray or CT scan, which can help identify the presence and location of free air in the abdominal cavity, an indication of a perforation.
• Once diagnosed, treatment typically involves surgery to repair the hole, along with antibiotics to treat or prevent infection. In some cases, a temporary or permanent colostomy or ileostomy may be needed to allow the bowel to heal or if a large section of the bowel needs to be removed.

See Also

• Peptic Ulcer
• Appendicitis
• Diverticulitis
• Abdominal Pain

References

• "Gastrointestinal Perforation". Mayo Clinic.
• "Gastrointestinal Perforation". Johns Hopkins Medicine.
• "Bowel Perforation". Cleveland Clinic.

External Links

Gastrointestinal Perforation - MedlinePlus Gastrointestinal Perforation - American College of Surgeons

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