Final answer:
Drugs can be injected into the visceral peritoneum to leverage the rich blood and lymphatic vessel network that facilitates systemic distribution, particularly when oral routes are not viable or rapid, systemic absorption is required. Peritonitis treatment may especially benefit from this method of drug delivery due to the direct accessibility and widespread distribution provided by the peritoneal folds.
Step-by-step explanation:
The ability to inject drugs into the visceral peritoneum is related to the rich vascular and lymphatic networks within the peritoneal folds that facilitate the systemic distribution of medications. These folds, which provide support to abdominal organs, house blood vessels and lymphatic vessels that supply these organs. By injecting drugs directly into the peritoneal cavity, they are absorbed into the circulation, bypassing the gastrointestinal (GI) tract and providing an alternative route for drug administration that can be useful when the GI tract is not an option or when higher plasma levels are necessary for treatment.
Additionally, disorders like peritonitis, an inflammation of the peritoneum, can benefit from direct administration of antibiotics as part of intensive therapy to combat the infection. The diffuse nature of the peritoneum, consisting of the parietal peritoneum lining the abdominal wall and the visceral peritoneum enveloping the organs, creates a suitable environment for the rapid diffusion and systemic distribution of drugs administered within the peritoneal cavity. This cavity contains a small amount of lubricating fluid, reducing friction and allowing for the administered drugs to disseminate efficiently.