Effect of the Frequency of Programmed Peritoneal Lavage on Chances of Survival with Diffuse Peritonitis

Since the middle of 1987 open package laparostomy and peritoneal lavage have been carried out in our clinic using a standardized method; until March 1989 this involved 54 patients. In considering the case material retrospectively the following two questions arise: To what extent does a patient benefit from a permanent continuation of programmed lavages, a maximum of intensive care, and a highly efficient antibiotic therapy? After how many lavages is it clear that there no longer any likelihood of the patient’s succeeding in surviving his peritonitis? In order to provide further material for answering these questions a retrospective evaluation of the patients’ personal data with the help of the Mannheimer Peritonitis Index was made [1,3].