Definition: a full-thickness breach of the intestinal wall, allowing air and/or gastrointestinal contents to enter the surrounding peritoneal cavity
Can be a potentially life-threatening cause of sepsis
Typically presents acutely (i.e., appendicitis, diverticulitis, perforated peptic ulcer, penetrating trauma) and often requires immediate surgical intervention.
When the<unk>  is immediately contained (i.e., by the omentum or retroperitoneum), it may occasionally present with a more indolent course
Immunosuppression or systemic corticosteroid therapy may also blunt the inflammatory response resulting in a protracted, indolent presentation.
Immunosuppression or systemic corticosteroid therapy may also blunt the inflammatory response resulting in a protracted, indolent presentation.
Peptic ulcer disease
Malignancy
Diverticulitis
Appendicitis
Abdominal trauma (penetrating > blunt)<unk>  obstruction
Foreign body ingestion
Necrotizing enterocolitis (premature infants)
Iatrogenic (i.e., endoscopy)
Bowel perforation
Acute myocardial infarction
Large bowel obstruction
Intestinal obstruction
Intestinal ischemia
Acute mesenteric ischemia
Mesenteric ischemia
Mesenteric venous thrombosis