Abstract

Intestinal perforation is defined as a loss of continuity of the bowel wall. It is a potentially devastating complication that may result from a variety of disease processes. Gastro-intestinal tract perforations can occur for various causes such as infective etiology, peptic ulcer, inflammatory disease, blunt or penetrating trauma, iatrogenic factors, foreign body or a neoplasm requiring an early recognition and often urgent surgical intervention. Surgery is almost always indicated for ulcer perforation, although occasionally nonsurgical treatment can be used in the stable patient in whom radiologic studies document a sealed perforation.

Description