Peritonitis Treated With Prolonged, Intermittent Peritoneal Lavage

Generalized peritonitis developed following colectomy in a patient with ulcerative colitis. A catheter inserted into the peritoneal cavity 13 days postoperatively yielded 2 liters of purulent fluid containing Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa . When fever and purulent drainage persisted despite antibiotic therapy, repeated peritoneal lavage was done through the catheter for 15 days. The patient recovered. Repeated lavage may be of value in severe peritonitis poorly responsive to standard therapy.