Abstract
The mannheim Peritonitis Index (MPI) is known as a simple and easy convalescence prediction index in the patients with peritonitis. From January 2000 to March 2006 we collected 48 patients (32 men, 16 women ; mean age 60.5 years, range 17-87 years) with gastrointestinal perforation, excluding appendicitis, in Sasebo City General Hospital. The perforation of internal organs cases included 17 stomach (35.4%), 9 duodenal (18.8%), 7 small intestinal (14.6%), 12 large intestinal (25.0%) and 3 rectal specimens (6.2%). The number of deaths was 7, including 1 stomach, 3 large intestinal, and 3 rectal cases. The death rate was significantly higher in cases involving the lower digestive organs, in particular the rectum (p<0.001). The mean MPI score of the deceased cases was significantly higher than that of the surviving population (p<0.001). Further, the average hospital stay of patients with MPI>26 was significantly longer than those with MPI<26 (p<0.05). In conclusion, a high MPI score correlated with a poor prognosis and a longer hospital stay. In cases of digestive organs perforation with peritonitis, the MPI scoring system may be a useful and convenient tool in evaluating the clinical condition of this patient group.
