Surgical manifestations of ascariasis in childhood

Amongst 50 patients with surgical complications of Ascaris lumbricoides 35 patients (70%) were treated conservatively and 15 patients (30%) required surgical intervention which included squeezing of worms to distal colon, resection and anastomosis of ileum, appendicectomy and peritoneal lavage. Intestinal perforation was observed in 3 cases. Two patients (4%) died because of postoperative complications. Those presenting with subacute intestinal obstruction had no mortality or morbidity. Although a large number of roundworms were seen in the jejunum, the obstruction was generally observed in the distal ileum.