Diagnostic significance of ultrasonic sonography in children with appendicular peritonitis

Abstract

The aim of the research is to study the possibilities of ultrasound sonography in children with generalized purulent appendicular peritonitis (GPAP) complicated with intestinal paralysis (IP). This should help to assess motor activity of the intestine, as well as development of pathological process in a peritoneal cavity. 93 patients (children from 2 to 15 years) with appendicular peritonitis were tested. All patients were divided into 2 groups. The first group comprised of 45 patients with appendicular peritonitis with a complicated cut (1st-2d stage) of intestines. The second group is 48 infants with GPAP and complicated IP (the main group). The following echo graphical indexes were assessed: presence of liquid in peritoneal cavity and its localization, presence of intestinal peristalsis, diameter and thickness of intestines, accumulation of fluid and air in the intestinal lumen, and nature of chyme movement in intestines. Comparing preoperative indicators of ultrasound sonography with the results of intraoperative revision of the abdominal cavity revealed that in 91.2% cases sonographic data were similar to the intraoperative ones. Ultrasound sonography in post operational period allows recognizing not only pros of clinic evidence; it also contributes to early recognition of postoperative intra-abdominal complications (abscess of the abdominal cavity, commissural complications).