Udelsman B, Lee K, Qadan M, Lillemoe KD, Chang D, Lindvall C, Cooper Z. Management of Pneumoperitoneum: Role and Limits of Nonoperative Treatment.
Ann Surg 2021;
274:146-154. [PMID:
31348040 DOI:
10.1097/sla.0000000000003492]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES
The aim of this study was to compare morbidity and mortality between nonoperative and operative treatment of pneumoperitoneum.
BACKGROUND
Pneumoperitoneum is a potentially life-threatening condition that has been traditionally treated with surgical intervention. Adequately powered studies comparing treatment outcomes are lacking.
METHODS
Chart review and computer-assisted abstraction were used to identify patients with pneumoperitoneum at 5 hospitals from 2010 to 2015. Patients with recent abdominal procedures or contained perforation were excluded. Patients were grouped by treatment modality: comfort measures only (CMO), nonoperative treatment, or operative intervention. CMO included only symptom-palliation, whereas nonoperative therapy included all interventions (antibiotics, peritoneal drains, resuscitation) excluding surgery. Outcomes were mortality, discharge disposition, and 30-day complications. Covariates included demographics, comorbidities, and acuity at presentation.
RESULTS
Forty patients received CMO, 202 underwent nonoperative treatment, and 199 underwent operative intervention. CMO patients had 98% 30-day mortality. There was no difference in 30-day (P = 0.64) or 2-year mortality (P = 0.53) between patients treated nonoperatively and operatively. Compared with patients treated operatively, patients treated nonoperatively were more likely to have a colorectal source of pneumoperitoneum (37% vs 31%; P = 0.03). Using logistic regression, operative treatment was associated with increased dependence on enteral tube feeding or total parenteral nutrition [odds ratio (OR) 4.30, 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.99-9.29] and nonhome discharge (OR 3.61, 95% CI, 1.81-7.17). Among patients with clinical peritonitis, operative treatment was associated with reduced mortality (OR 0.17, 95% CI, 0.04-0.80).
CONCLUSIONS
Operative intervention is associated with reduced mortality in patients with pneumoperitoneum and peritonitis. In the absence of peritonitis, operative treatment is associated with increased morbidity and nonhome discharge.
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