Health Encyclopedia

Gastrointestinal perforation

Definition

Perforation is a hole that develops through the wall of a body organ. This problem may occur in the esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, rectum, or gallbladder.

Alternative Names

Intestinal perforation; Perforation of the intestines; Gastric perforation; Esophageal perforation

Causes

Perforation of an organ can be caused by a variety of factors. These include:

• Appendicitis
• Cancer (all types)
• Crohn disease
• Diverticulitis
• Gallbladder disease
• Peptic ulcer disease
• Ulcerative colitis
• Bowel blockage
• Chemotherapy agents
• Increased pressure in the esophagus caused by forceful vomiting
• Ingestion of caustic substances

It may also be caused by surgery in the abdomen or procedures such as colonoscopy or upper endoscopy.

Symptoms

Perforation of the intestine or other organs causes the contents to leak into the abdomen. This causes a severe infection called peritonitis.

Symptoms may include:

• Severe abdominal pain
• Chills
• Fever
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Shock

Exams and Tests

X-rays of the chest or abdomen may show air in the abdominal cavity. This is called free air. It is a sign of a tear. If the esophagus is perforated free air can be seen in the mediastinum (around the heart) and in the chest.

A CT scan of the abdomen often shows where the hole is located. The white blood cell count is often higher than normal.

A procedure may help find the area of the perforation, such as an upper endoscopy (EGD) or a colonoscopy.

Treatment

Treatment most often involves emergency surgery to repair the hole.

• Sometimes, a small part of the intestine must be removed. One end of the intestine may be brought out through an opening (stoma) made in the abdominal wall. This is called a colostomy or ileostomy.
• A drain from the abdomen or other organ may also be needed.

In rare cases, people can be treated with antibiotics alone if the perforation has closed. This can be confirmed by a physical exam, blood tests, CT scan, and x-rays.

Outlook (Prognosis)

Surgery is successful most of the time. However, the outcome will depend on how severe the perforation is, and for how long it was present before treatment. The presence of other illnesses can also affect how well a person will do after treatment.

Possible Complications

Even with surgery, infection is the most common complication of the condition. Infections can be either inside the abdomen (abdominal abscess or peritonitis), or throughout the whole body. Body-wide infection is called sepsis. Sepsis can be very serious and can lead to death.

When to Contact a Medical Professional

Contact your health care provider if you have:

• Blood in your stool
• Changes in bowel habits
• Fever
• Nausea
• Severe abdominal pain
• Vomiting
• Call 911 or the local emergency number right away if you or someone else have ingested a caustic substance.

Call the local poison control center emergency number at 1-800-222-1222 if a person has ingested a caustic substance. This hotline number will let you talk to experts in poisoning.

DO NOT wait until the person has symptoms before you call for help.

Prevention

People will often have a few days of pain before the intestinal perforation occurs. If you have pain in the abdomen, see your provider right away. Treatment is much simpler and safer when it is started before the perforation occurs.

References

Burns WR, Chang AE. Acute abdomen, bowel obstruction, and fistula. In: Niederhuber JE, Armitage JO, Kastan MB, Doroshow JH, Tepper JE, eds. Abeloff's Clinical Oncology. 6th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 52.

Landmann A, Bonds M,  Postier R. Acute abdomen. In: Townsend CM Jr, Beauchamp RD, Evers BM, Mattox KL, eds. Sabiston Textbook of Surgery. 21st ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:chap 46.

Matthews JB, Turaga K. Surgical peritonitis and other diseases of the peritoneum, mesentery, omentum, and diaphragm. In: Feldman M, Friedman LS, Brandt LJ, eds. Sleisenger and Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease. 11th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 39.

Wagner JP, Chen DC, Barie PS, Hiatt JR. Peritonitis and intraabdominal infection. In: Vincent J-L, Abraham E, Moore FA, Kochanek PM, Fink MP, eds. Textbook of Critical Care. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2017:chap 99.

Review Date:5/4/2022
Reviewed By:Michael M. Phillips, MD, Emeritus Professor of Medicine, The George Washington University School of Medicine, Washington, DC. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

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