1. Home
  2. Health Topics
  3. Search Health Topics
  4. Perforation

Perforation

Top of the page

A perforation is a hole in the wall of the digestive tract. A perforation may occur anywhere in the digestive tract and may occur when:

  • A crater-shaped sore (ulcer) erodes through the wall of the stomach or a section of intestine.
  • An infection in the appendix erodes through the wall of the appendix.
  • An infection of an abnormal pouch or sac in the intestine (diverticulum) erodes through the wall of a section of the bowel.
  • A swallowed object punctures the digestive tract.

A perforation of the digestive tract can be life-threatening. It can cause severe pain and bleeding. The material inside the intestines can leak into the hollow space of the abdomen (abdominal cavity) and cause an infection (peritonitis). Emergency surgery is needed when a perforation has occurred.

Current as ofNovember 7, 2018

Author: Healthwise Staff
Medical Review: William H. Blahd, Jr., MD, FACEP - Emergency Medicine
Anne C. Poinier, MD - Internal Medicine
Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine
David Messenger, BSc, MD, FRCPC, FCCP - Emergency Medicine, Critical Care Medicine
Kenneth Bark, MD - General Surgery, Colon and Rectal Surgery

Is it an emergency?

If you or someone in your care has chest pains, difficulty breathing, or severe bleeding, it could be a life-threatening emergency. Call 9-1-1 or the local emergency number immediately.
If you are concerned about a possible poisoning or exposure to a toxic substance, call Poison Control now at 1-800-567-8911.

Thanks to our partners and endorsers:

Northern HealthBritish Columbia College of Family PhysiciansProvincial Health Services AuthorityVancouver Coastal HealthBritish Columbia Medical Association: Doctors of BCIsland HealthCollege of Pharmacists of British ColumbiaCollege of Physicians and Surgeons of British ColumbiaFraser Health AuthorityCollege of Dietitians of British ColumbiaInterior HealthCollege of Dental Surgeons of British ColumbiaBC Centre for Disease Control