Perforation peritonitis in a tertiary care setting: Clinical profile, surgical management, and 5-year outcome trends

Background: Perforation peritonitis is a common surgical emergency. Perforation peritonitis results from the perforation of a diseased viscus, abdominal trauma, ingestion of a foreign body, and iatrogenic perforation. The diagnosis is made by clinical symptoms and signs. Aims and Objectives: The present study was carried out to study various etiological factors, mode of clinical presentation, management, and outcome of perforation peritonitis in a tertiary care setting. Materials and Methods: A retrospective observational study of patients with perforation peritonitis was done over a period of 5 years (February 2019–March 2024) in the Department of Surgery Government Medical College (GMC), Kathua, India. All cases with perforation peritonitis as a result of perforation in any part of gastrointestinal tract at time of surgery were included in the study. Results: A total of 310 patients of perforation peritonitis were included in the study, with a mean age of 47.30 years. There were 86.45% male patients. Only 27.74% patients presented within 24 h of onset of symptoms. Overall, 308 patients were treated surgically, and only two patients were managed conservatively. Overall mortality in this study was 3.87%. Conclusion: The majority of perforation peritonitis comprised of peptic ulcer perforation, followed by appendicular and typhoid ileal perforations. Overall morbidity and mortality were acceptable.