Among the earliest symptoms which suggest peritonitis and the first that can be detected on seeing thepatient, we find superior costal respiration; its particularly valuable in those situations in which diagnosis appears difficult. In this paper the authors report three observations of postoperato·ry peritonitis of supramesocolic surface of abdomen, in which this sign was obvious at onset of complication. Diaphragmatic involvement in cases of peritonitis where the patient has reduced respiratory reserve, may lead to grave respiratory insufficiency. Reversa! of this condition can be obtained by anesthesic blocking of abdominal wall. The report of a fourth case is both demonstrative and valid far the purpose of questioning diaphragmatic contracture in peritonitis.

La respiración costal alta es un s,igno precoz, el primero al ver el paciente y die valor para orientar el diagnós,tico de peritonitis en las situacionesde diagnóstico difícil. Se muestran tres observaciones de peritonitis del postoperatorio del piso supramesocólico- del abdomen,donde la presencia de dicho signo es notorío al comienzo de la complicación.