perforation

In medicine, piercing of an organ through mechanical injury or disease.

Ulcers, large tumours, or penetrating injuries may result in the perforation of the abdominal organs. If the intestinal contents enter the abdominal cavity, the large numbers of bacteria that they contain can cause peritonitis and septicaemia (blood poisoning), which can be fatal. Surgery is required to wash away the contamination and repair the perforation. Perforation of major blood vessels results in haemorrhage and requires urgent surgical treatment.