Peritonitis
By Liam

Many a year ago my Grandfather underwent a hip replacement surgery, an operation which generally results in several days in hospital. In this particular instance however, he spent just over five months in intensive care due to a series of very peculiar events.
His hip replacement surgery was a great success, but as he waited in recovery there was a mistake made by the hospital staff; the surgery causes loss of intestinal function and solid food cannot be consumed until the body has regained this function - but he was given solid food despite this setback. The resulting problems involved a nicely blocked intestine and further surgery was required.
As a result of this surgery, his intestine was mistakenly perforated and bacteria which is only beneficial in that area flooded his body cavity. My Grandfather had just received a raging case of PERITONITIS.
This disease causes inflammation of the "peritoneum", a membrane which lines the abdominal cavity in the body. Often this can be caused by infection from a ruptured hollow organ, in my Grandfather's case his lower intestine. Peritonitis results in abdominal distension, and if untreated is fatal in nearly every situation.
There are three types of Peritonitis. The first is "Spontaneous Peritonitis." This can be caused by liver or kidney failure, which results in the infection of "ascites" (fluid in the abdominal cavity). The second type is called "Secondary Peritonitis", the "secondary" meaning that it is due to another condition. This is the type or Peritonitis which my Grandfather was diagnosed with, due to the puncture in his intestine. Secondary Peritonitis may also, however, occur when bile or pancreatic enzymes leak into the abdominal cavity. The third and final type of Peritonitis is "Dialysis Associated" Peritonitis. This happens when an organ fails and dialysis (involving a machine which will perform the function of that organ) causes bacteria to move from a certain area of the body which does not belong in the abdominal cavity into precisely that spot.
During my Grandfather's struggle in the hospital, he received a splenectomy (removal of spleen) and litres of fluid needed to be removed from his lungs as he was lying still for months on end. His freshly completed hip joint was immobile. Since his body was recognizing it as a foreign object, making it extremely susceptible to infection, the last battalion of bacteria was swarming that area. In a leap of faith by the surgical staff, the artificial hip was removed completely and not replaced for 6 months!
During that time wire structures were placed inside the empty socket impregnated with antibiotic "beads." Antibiotic bead therapy does not use biodegradable materials and the wire needs to be removed from the body after the therapy is finished.
Today he is 83 years old and in excellent condition.