The treatment of peritonitis by an antiseptic - taurolin.

An open study was carried out on patients with acute appendicitis to assess the effectiveness of taurolin, a new antiseptic which destroys both bacteria and endotoxin, when used intraperitoneally in cases of purulent peritonitis associated with perforated or gangrenous appendicitis. Seventy-four out of 319 patients received taurolin; the others were treated by operation only or by operation and antibiotics as required. The results suggest that taurolin was effective as monotherapy in peritonitis and endotoxic shock and its use avoids the problems associated with antibiotics.