Intestinal perforation

Intestinal Perforation

Intestinal perforation (pronounced: in-tes-ti-nal per-fo-ra-tion) is a serious medical condition where a hole or tear occurs in the wall of the gastrointestinal tract. This can lead to the contents of the intestines leaking into the abdominal cavity, causing severe infection and inflammation.

Etymology

The term "intestinal perforation" is derived from the Latin words "intestinum", meaning "gut", and "perforare", meaning "to pierce through".

Causes

Intestinal perforation can be caused by a variety of factors, including trauma, ulcer, diverticulitis, appendicitis, Crohn's disease, and cancer. It can also occur as a complication of certain medical procedures, such as colonoscopy or surgery.

Symptoms

Symptoms of intestinal perforation can include severe abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, fever, and chills. In severe cases, it can lead to septic shock, a life-threatening condition that requires immediate medical attention.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of intestinal perforation typically involves a physical examination, medical history, and imaging tests such as X-ray or CT scan. In some cases, surgery may be required to confirm the diagnosis and treat the condition.

Treatment

Treatment for intestinal perforation usually involves surgery to repair the hole or tear in the intestine. This may be followed by antibiotics to treat any resulting infection. In severe cases, a portion of the intestine may need to be removed.

Related Terms

External links

Medical encyclopedia article on Intestinal perforation
Wikipedia's article - Intestinal perforation

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Intestinal perforation