Prognostic indices of typhoid perforation

A Comparative Study between the Outcome of Primary Repair versus Loop Ileostomy in Ileal Perforation

Introduction. Ileal perforation peritonitis is a common surgical emergency in the Indian subcontinent and in tropical countries. It is reported to constitute the fifth common cause of abdominal emergencies due to high incidence of enteric fever and tuberculosis in these regions. Methods. Sixty proven cases of ileal perforation patients admitted to Surgical Emergency were taken up for emergency surgery. Randomisation was done by senior surgeons by picking up card from both the groups. The surgical management was done as primary repair (group A) and loop ileostomy (group B). Results. An increased rate of postoperative complications was seen in group A when compared with group B with 6 (20%) patients landed up in peritonitis secondary to leakage from primary repair requiring reoperation as compared to 2 (6.67%) in ileostomy closure. A ratio of 1 : 1.51 days was observed between hospital stay of group A to group B. Conclusion. In cases of ileal perforation temporary defunctioning loop ileostomy plays an important role. We recommend that defunctioning ileostomy should be preferred over other surgical options in cases of ileal perforations. It should be recommended that ileostomy in these cases is only temporary and the extra cost and cost of management are not more than the price of life.

Improvement in survival from typhoid ileal perforation. Results of 221 operative cases

Typhoid ileal perforation remains a frequently fatal illness in the developing world. The purpose of a retrospective review of 195 cases was to ascertain prognostic indices and therapeutic options influencing outcome. The overall mortality rate of 31% was worsened by extremes of age (p less than 0.025), generalized peritonitis (p less than 0.025), lower white blood cell count (p less than 0.05), increased number of perforations (p less than 0.005), and postoperative enterocutaneous fistula (p less than 0.005). Double-layer closure of the perforation lowered the mortality rate compared with single-layer closure (p less than 0.01). Broader-spectrum antibiotics, in the form of chloramphenicol with gentamycin, metronidazole, or both, reduced the mortality rate compared with chloramphenicol alone (p less than 0.05). Based on these findings, a prospective series was initiated in which all patients were treated with two-layer closure and chloramphenicol, gentamycin, and metronidazole. The mortality rate of 8% for the 26 patients treated in this manner confirmed the improved survival with these treatment modalities. Improved survival from typhoid perforation is possible with simple, low-cost measures.

Management of bowel perforation in typhoid fever

The best survival rates after ileal perforation in typhoid fever are to be found in patients undergoing operation within 24 h. Conservative management of typhoid perforation, which was widely advocated after the introduction of chloramphenicol, appears to be associated with a substantially increased mortality compared to surgery, although randomized comparisons have never been conducted. Clinical, radiological and ultrasound examination assist in the diagnosis of perforation. After vigorous resuscitation, simple surgical closure of the perforation and abdominal irrigation will suffice for most cases. Antibiotics effective against S. typhi, coliforms and anaerobes are required.