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What is Pneumoperitoneum?

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Pneumoperitoneum is the presence of air in the abdominal cavity. There are a number of reasons for a person to develop air inside the abdominal cavity and it is important to determine why the air is present when pneumoperitoneum is identified on a medical imaging study. It can be a sign of a medical emergency that requires prompt surgical intervention in order to prevent future complications and other medical issues. It may also be a normal circumstance that does not require aggressive treatment.

Patients with this condition may develop symptoms like abdominal pain and tenderness in addition to other symptoms related to the cause of the air buildup. Relatively small amounts of air may be present in the abdomen. Medical imaging studies such as CT scans are used to visualize the abdomen and modern imaging equipment can identify very small pockets of air. The shape, size, and location of the air pocket can provide important diagnostic clues.

A CT scan may be conducted to identify pneumoperitoneum.
A CT scan may be conducted to identify pneumoperitoneum.

A serious potential cause of air in the abdominal cavity is a perforation of the bowel or another organ, as may occur when an ulcer or abscess ruptures. Infections with bacteria that generate gas as a byproduct can also cause the condition. Sometimes air or gas enters through the female reproductive tract or as a consequence of constipation. It can also be iatrogenic, meaning that it is caused by a surgical procedure or other activity.

Pneumoperitoneum may be caused by an ulcer.
Pneumoperitoneum may be caused by an ulcer.

In fact, during laparoscopy, a procedure where tools are inserted into the abdomen through small incisions to conduct surgery, air is introduced deliberately. The abdomen is inflated with gas in order to make the surgical field clearer and easier to see. The gas is expelled after surgery but it is usually not completely removed, and the patient may have pneumoperitoneum for several weeks after the surgery until the gas deposit is dispersed by the body.

Pneumoperitoneum may require surgical intervention.
Pneumoperitoneum may require surgical intervention.

When a patient has pneumoperitoneum, the first step in treatment is finding out why, in order to develop an appropriate treatment approach. This may require additional diagnostic testing along with a patient interview. In some cases, conservative treatment is the most sensible course of action, with a doctor taking a wait and see approach to see if the patient's body is able to eliminate the gas on its own. If the pneumoperitoneum is a complication of an infection or rupture, surgery to correct the problem is required, preferably as quickly as possible. Perforations and infections can rapidly lead to life threatening medical emergencies.

Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a WiseGEEK researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...
Mary McMahon
Mary McMahon

Ever since she began contributing to the site several years ago, Mary has embraced the exciting challenge of being a WiseGEEK researcher and writer. Mary has a liberal arts degree from Goddard College and spends her free time reading, cooking, and exploring the great outdoors.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

anon999510

I have air/gas which presses on my diaphragm, causing difficult breathing. I had a lap cholecyctectomy about four weeks ago, but this continues particularly when I lie down.

anon346590

Conservative treatment is not long. Otherwise, if serious, then surgery is considered for perforation. Don't worry.

anon202239

I have no idea, but my dad has just had abdominal surgery on stage 1 colon cancer (was originally a laparoscopy but ended up to be open surgery because of his bleeding). It was supposed to be pretty straightforward.

He now has a pocket of gas, seven days post surgery, and is still in the ICU unit. He has had two CT scans to look at whether the two pieces of gut are leaking (no sign) and what the gas could be.

It is a very worrying time. My poor dad is 78 and is confused, although we are not sure whether it is down to the potential infection (his bloods are fine, cultures from the diarrhea clear, no temp spiking). The response is a very conservative 'wait and see' approach but we are worried senseless.

bigbellies

How long does "conservative treatment" typically last? Through what processes would the body get rid of the air on its own? I've never heard of pneumoperitoneum, and now I wonder if I've had it in the past.

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    • A CT scan may be conducted to identify pneumoperitoneum.
      By: Monkey Business
      A CT scan may be conducted to identify pneumoperitoneum.
    • Pneumoperitoneum may be caused by an ulcer.
      By: p6m5
      Pneumoperitoneum may be caused by an ulcer.
    • Pneumoperitoneum may require surgical intervention.
      By: Tyler Olson
      Pneumoperitoneum may require surgical intervention.
    • Individuals with pneumoperitoneum may experience abdominal pain.
      By: Grafvision
      Individuals with pneumoperitoneum may experience abdominal pain.
    • A doctor who follows a conservative treatment plan for pneumoperitoneum may subject patients to longer hospital stays.
      By: jeep5d
      A doctor who follows a conservative treatment plan for pneumoperitoneum may subject patients to longer hospital stays.