The spectrum of nontraumatic perforation peritonitis in Al Noor Specialist Hospital, Makkah

Introduction: Nontraumatic perforation peritonitis is the most common emergency in Saudi Arabia. The spectrum of etiology of perforation in Saudi Arabia continues to be different from the western countries. The objective of this study is to highlight the spectrum of etiology of nontraumatic perforation peritonitis and the predictor factors for increasing mortality in those patients. Patients and Methods: This is a prospective study (case series); all patients admitted with nontraumatic perforation peritonitis were included in the study from January 2005 to December 2010 and followed up in the outpatient department for 6 months up to 2 years. One hundred and thirty patients of nontraumatic perforation peritonitis were included in the study and their clinical presentation, operative findings, and postoperative course were recorded in Al Noor Specialist Hospital in Makkah (Holy city), Saudi Arabia. Results: The most common cause of perforation in our series was perforated duodenal ulcer (56 cases), followed by appendicitis (44 cases), perforated gastric ulcer (11 cases), typhoid fever (8 cases), and perforated gastrointestinal cancers (8 cases). Twenty-eight cases (22%) developed complication and three patients died (2.3%). Conclusion: This study shows that the upper gastrointestinal tract perforation due to nontrauma causes constitutes the majority of cases in Holy city, Makkah, in contrast to the western countries where lower gastrointestinal tract perforation is more common. Our study also highlights the outcome of nontraumatic perforation peritonitis.