[Primary splenic abscess ruptured into the peritoneal cavity (peritonitis in 3 stages)].

The authors present a case with peritonitis following rupture of a splenic abscess in a female aged 18 years. Peritonitis developed in three stages. The diagnosis before surgery was of pelvic peritonitis. Bacteriologic examination revealed the presence of B. colli. Splenectomy was followed by complete recovery of the patient. The site of the primary infection could not be determined. The authors stress the usefulness of exploration of the splenic lodge in the so-called "primary" generalized peritonitis, in pelvic peritonitis or in all cases when the origin of the peritoneal infection is not known.