Gastrointestinal perforation

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Digestive system

Digestive system organs

Gastrointestinal perforation is a hole that passes through the entire wall of the stomach, small intestine or large bowel. This condition is a medical emergency.

Intestinal perforation; Perforation of the intestines

Gastrointestinal perforation can be caused by a variety of illnesses, including appendicitis, diverticulitis, ulcer disease, Crohn's disease, and less commonly, infections of the bowel, such as infectious colitis.

Perforation of the intestine leads to leakage of intestinal contents into the abdominal cavity. This causes an inflammation called peritonitis.

Review Date: 07/14/2006
Reviewed By: J.A. Lee, M.D., Division of Surgery, UCSF, San Francisco, CA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.