No full-text available
To read the full-text of this research,
you can request a copy directly from the authors.
67 cases of acute intestinal obstruction in children were analysed. Intussusception (31.3%), external hernia (23.8%) and imperforated
anus (16.4%) were the main causes of obstruction in more than 70 per cent of the cases. There are significant differences
in the pattern of paediatric intestinal obstruction in developing countries, as compared with that in other parts of the world.
The overall morbidity and mortality in this series was 26.8% and 23.8% per cent, and the neonatal mortality was 43.5%.
A review of forty-five cases of intestinal obstruction caused by round worms is presented.
1.A review of forty-five cases of intestinal obstruction caused by round worms is presented.2.Eosinophilia was present in only one case.3.Initial treatment should be conservative, consisting of nasogastric suction and piperazine given via nasogastric tube, as well as intravenous fluids.4.Surgery should not be delayed if signs and symptoms warrant laparotomy. In this series seven patients underwent surgery, and volvulus of the terminal ileum was the most common finding.5.One death occurred in this series and was attributable to extensive peritonitis secondary to gangrenous ileum twisted about a bolus of ascaris.6.At surgery, if involved bowel is viable, the worms should be milked into the colon. If this cannot be done, enterotomy should be performed and the worms removed.7.Piperazine in recommended dosages should be given early in the postoperative period.