High urgency
-Moderately severe
This is a tear in the intestinal wall from the ileocecal valve of the small intestine to the mouth of the anus.
The most common causes are inflammation of diverticula (diverticulitis), inflammatory bowel disease (ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease) and endoscopic diagnostic procedures.
The main symptoms are severe abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, fever and blood in the stools.
The diagnosis is made by clinical history and physical examination. It is confirmed by an abdominal X-ray and/or CT-scan.
Treatment is usually based on maintaining vital signs, early initiation of antibiotics and surgery.
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- Akbulut S, Cakabay B, Ozmen CA, et al. An unusual cause of ileal perforation: report of a case and literature review. World J Gastroenterol 2009; 15:2672.
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- Turrentine FE, Denlinger CE, Simpson VB, et al. Morbidity, mortality, cost, and survival estimates of gastrointestinal anastomotic leaks. J Am Coll Surg 2015; 220:195.
- María García Ávila, Ángel Blanco Bravo. Perforación de víscera hueca. Manual de protocolos y actuación en urgencias. Hospital Virgen de la Salud, Complejo Hospitalario de Toledo. Tercera edición. 2010. 495:498
Dr. Elvira Moreno
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