Table 2 Relative frequency and sex distribution of causes of diffuse community acquired peritonitis in Limbe and Buea Regional hospitals

Peptic Ulcer Perforation

49

20

69

22.6

Spontaneous perforation of terminal ileum

19

24

43

14.1

Complications of acute appendicitis

34

19

53

17.4

Splenic Abscess

4

2

6

2

Tubo-Ovarian Abscess

0

7

7

2.3

Acute cholecystitis

1

7

8

2.6

Incarcerated hernia

8

0

8

2.6

Intestinal obstruction

4

9

13

4.3

Intussusception

3

0

3

1

Volvulus of sigmoid colon

8

1

9

3

Infection of haemoperitoneum

0

2

2

0.6

Rupture of liver abscess

1

1

2

0.6

Hospital-acquired

10

34

44

14.4

Blunt abdominal injury

21

6

27

8.9

Penetrating abdominal injury

6

5

11

3.6

Total

168

137

305

100