(pĕr″fŏ-rā′shŏn )
[L. perforatio, a boring through]
1. The act or process of making a hole, as one caused by ulceration.
2. A hole made through a structure or part.
SEE: Bezold, Friedrich
A perforation through the protective membrane of a glove. It exposes all sterile members of the surgical team and the patient to potentially transmissible infectious diseases. Loss of glove integrity occurs most often on the thumb of the dominant surgical hand and on either index finger. It is often unrecognized. Its frequency increases with the duration of the operation.
An abdominal crisis in which a perforation forms in a wall of the gastrointestinal tract, resulting in the release of intestinal fluids into the peritoneum. The leakage may produce a localized abscess, phlegmon, or diffuse peritonitis.
SYN: SEE: perforation of stomach or intestine
SEE: peritonitis
SYMPTOMS
The onset is accompanied by acute pain, beginning over the perforated area and spreading all over the abdomen. Nausea and vomiting, tachycardia, hypotension, fevers, chills, sweats, confusion, and decreased urinary output are common.
TREATMENT
Surgical treatment is necessary. Pending the operation, the patient is given no oral fluids; parenteral fluids, antibiotics, and other medications are administered.
A perforation through the nasal septum, usually the result of chronic inflammation caused by infection or repeated cocaine inhalation.
SEE: Pulp exposure.