Tuberculous Peritonitis after Laparotomy: Four Case Reports and a Review of the Literature

Abstract

Four cases are described of tuberculous peritonitis occurring 6–10 weeks following laparotomy for unrelated illnesses. Four similar cases from 16 previously reported series of tuberculous peritonitis are also described. The possibility of mechanical activation of old peritoneal or mesenteric granulomas is considered. An incubation period of 4–10 weeks from surgery to onset of symptoms or diagnosis is suggested in 7 of 8 reported cases.