clinical features of localised peritonitis
Last reviewed 01/2018
The clinical features of localised peritonitis are:
- a primary intra-abdominal process, e.g. appendicitis
- localised abdominal pain - made worse by movement of the abdomen e.g. coughing.
- on examination there are signs of localised peritonism:
- localised tenderness
- contraction of the abdominal muscles over the area of tenderness when palpation is attempted - guarding
- rebound tenderness - when the examining hand is quickly examined the movement of the peritoneum causes intense pain. This sign may be better elicited by percussion or asking the patient to cough.
- rectal tenderness - anterior tenderness may be elicited
- features of mild systemic toxicity, e.g. malaise, low-grade fever, tachycardia, leucocytosis on FBC.