Scheduled Reoperations (Etappenlavage) for Diffuse Peritonitis

Abstract

The quality of surgical treatment is decisive for successful therapy of severe diffuse peritonitis. Modern concepts take into consideration the fact that surgical treatment of an intra-abdominal septic focus remains the most important element of therapy, but is not always achievable by a single operation. The concept of programmed relaparotomies (etappenlavage) has led to a significantly reduced mortality rate, especially in patients with postoperative peritonitis. It is a surgically demanding technique, requiring special experience in septic abdominal surgery. Optimum requirements for treatment of patients with diffuse peritonitis are therefore met in a specialized center for septic surgery.