Laparoscopic diagnosis and management of primary bacterial peritonitis.

Primary bacterial peritonitis is a rare condition occurring, by definition, in patients without an underlying cause as is otherwise observed in patients with perforated viscus, pre-existing ascites, or nephrosis. The diagnosis is usually made at laparotomy. Laparotomy, however, is often associated with significant morbidity and wound complications. We report a case of primary bacterial peritonitis diagnosed at laparoscopy that was managed successfully by laparoscopic peritoneal lavage and appropriate antibiotic therapy with expeditious recovery. This is yet another argument for the application of laparoscopy in the management of generalized peritonitis.