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Selective management of patients with neutropenic enterocolitis using peritoneal lavage
Author(s) -
Sauter Edward R.,
Vauthey Jean Nicolas,
Bolton John S.,
Sardi Armando
Publication year - 1990
Publication title -
journal of surgical oncology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.201
H-Index - 111
eISSN - 1096-9098
pISSN - 0022-4790
DOI - 10.1002/jso.2930450115
Subject(s) - medicine , enterocolitis , neutropenia , perforation , surgery , vomiting , abdominal pain , gastroenterology , diarrhea , necrotizing enterocolitis , complication , chemotherapy , materials science , punching , metallurgy
Neutropenic enterocolitis is a symptom complex of fever, abdominal pain, distention, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and bloody stools occurring in a patient with a low neutrophil count and is most often seen in patients with acute leukemia after a course of chemotherapy. In most cases, neutropenic enterocolitis is a self‐limited condition, but complications of transmural intestinal necrosis and bowel perforation may occur in a small number of patients. Surgical management should be reserved for those patients with bowel wall necrosis or perforation; however, early identification of these patients is difficult. We report our experience with the use of diagnostic peritoneal lavage in three patients with the symptoms and signs of neutropenic enterocolitis. In each case, Gram's stain of lavage fluid revealed no evidence of polymicrobial contamination of the peritoneal cavity. All three patients were managed medically, with resolution of their abdominal symptoms. Peritoneal lavage is helpful in excluding bowel perforation and avoiding unnecessary surgical intervention in patients with neutropenic enterocolitis.