956 patients with general peritonitis were operated: 596 patients--for diffuse peritonitis, 360--for general peritonitis. The causes of peritonitis were: perforating gastroduodenal ulcers (454), acute destructive appendicitis (190), acute destructive cholecystitis (82), perforation of small intestine and colon (96), postoperative peritonitis (80), other diseases (54). In low degree of bacterial contamination of abdominal cavity (not more Ig 5 CFU/g) operations were completed without abdominal drainage, laparoscopic variant of the operation being optimal. In postoperative period, out of 691 patients with low degree of bacterial contamination wound infection was in 7.9%, intraabdominal infection--in 2.5%, polyorganic insufficiency--in 1.0%; lethality was 5.9%. In high degree of bacterial contamination (more Ig 5 CFU/g) and massive unremovable fibrinous patch on the peritoneum the programmed revisions and sanations of abdominal cavity were performed, sometimes--control laparoscopic revisions. In postoperative period of 256 patients with high degree of bacterial contamination wound infection arose in 6.0%, intraabdominal infection--in 4.2%, polyorganic insufficiency [symbol: see text] in 42.6%; lethality was 18.1%.