RESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Early classification of severity of peritonitis by scoring systems, including the Mannheim peritonitis index (MPI) and the multiple organ failure (MOF) score, modulates surgical and medical management. AIM: To predict outcome of patients with peritonitis using the MPI and MOF scoring systems. METHODS: Prospective evaluation of the MPI and MOF score was performed in 80 consecutive patients with peritonitis who underwent uniform surgical treatment. Risk ratios were calculated for the MPI and other patient characteristics. Risk ratio was not calculable for the MOF score. RESULTS: Overall in-hospital mortality rate was 17.5%, including 80% of patients with MPI>29. In non-survivors the mean score was 4.8 (SD 1.46) and 33.07 (4.81) for the MOF score and MPI, respectively. Survivors had mean MOF score of 0.28 (0.20) and mean MPI of 19.39 (6.68). CONCLUSION: The MPI and MOF score provide simple and objective means to predict the outcome of patients with peritonitis.