Presence of air or gas in the peritoneal cavity as a result of disease, or produced artificially in the abdomen to achieve exposure during laporoscopic surgery. [G. pneuma, air, + peritoneum]
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1) an abnormal state characterized by the presence of gas (as air) in the peritoneal cavity
2) the induction of pneumoperitoneum as a therapeutic measure or as an aid to radiography
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n.
air or gas in the peritoneal or abdominal cavity, usually due to a perforation of the stomach or bowel. Pneumoperitoneum may be induced for diagnostic purposes (e.g. laparoscopy). A former treatment of tuberculosis was the deliberate injection of air into the peritoneal cavity to allow the tuberculous lung to be rested (artificial pneumoperitoneum); this was frequently combined with phrenic crush.
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pneu·mo·peri·to·ne·um (noo″mo-per″ĭ-to-neґəm) [pneumo- + peritoneum] the presence of gas or air in the peritoneal cavity; it may occur spontaneously, as in subphrenic abscess, or be deliberately introduced as an aid to radiologic examination and diagnosis (diagnostic p.) or to achieve exposure during laparoscopy. pneumoperitoneal adjMedical dictionary. 2011.