Intraperitonealer

Intraperitonealer, or intraperitoneal, is an adjective used in German medical terminology to describe something located within or administered into the peritoneal cavity. The peritoneal cavity is the potential space within the abdomen lined by the peritoneum, bordered by the parietal peritoneum and covering visceral organs. The cavity contains a small amount of lubricating fluid and houses intraperitoneal organs such as the stomach, liver, spleen, and portions of the intestines; retroperitoneal organs lie outside this space.

As a route of administration, intraperitoneal delivery involves injecting a substance directly into the peritoneal cavity, intended to achieve rapid systemic absorption or local effect in the peritoneal region. It is used in medical practice and research, including intraperitoneal chemotherapy (IPC) and approaches such as HIPEC (hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy) after cytoreductive surgery for certain abdominal cancers. Intraperitoneal administration is also used for peritoneal dialysis, a renal replacement therapy in which dialysis fluid is infused into the peritoneal cavity to remove waste products.

In contrast to intraperitoneal administration, many organs are retroperitoneal, and some procedures target tissues outside the peritoneal cavity. Complications associated with intraperitoneal approaches include peritonitis, infection of the catheter, chemical irritation, and leakage of fluid.

In veterinary and experimental biology, intraperitoneal injections are common for delivering substances to small animals.

The term intraperitonealer thus describes either location within the peritoneal cavity or administration into that space, with context clarifying its exact meaning.