Primary Peritonitis-A Forgotten Entity

Abstract

Primary peritonitis is a rare phenomenon in modern antibiotic era. A case of pediatric primary peritonitis is presented here, in which a child presented with complaints of abdominal pain, vomiting for one day. Abdominal examination showed marked tenderness and guarding, diagnosis of appendicitis was made and laparoscopic appendectomy done. Later, ascitic fluid analysis and appendix histopathology proved it to be a case of primary peritonitis.

Keywords: appendix; ascitic fluid; laparoscopic; peritonitis; primary peritonitis.

Fig. 1

(A) X-ray of abdomen shows no gas under diaphragm. Some dilated gut loops are visible. (B) Sections reveal appendix with normal mucosa. No significant inflammation of muscularis propria or serosa is seen.