NEUTROPHIL LEUKOCYTE REACTION IN THE COURSE OF DIFFUSE PURULENT PERITONITIS DEVELOPMENT

Peritoneum biopsies from patients with various stages of peritonitis were studied electron microscopically. As distinct from the widespread opinion of a significant phagocytic activity of neutrophil leucocytes in early peritonitis this activity was not found. The authors consider this as a cause of peritonitis progression and fatality of the disease in the absence of surgical treatment. Phagocytic activity is restored after the elimination of the causative factors, i. e. after the sanative operation.