[Surgical treatment of complicated forms of abdominal tuberculosis]

The results of surgical treatment were analyzed in 31 patients with complicated abdominal tuberculosis in 2001 to 2003. Before 2003, a surgical intervention was mainly palliative and reduced to the suturing of perforative tuberculous ulcers limited to the resections of the small intestine and to the separation of adhesions (Group 1, n=17). Then radical surgical interventions were undertaken in the volume of extended right-sided hemicolectomies, by removing caseously changed mesenteric lymph nodes (Group 2, n=14). Postoperative peritoneal lavage was performed, by using antituberculous agents. Twelve and 5 patients died in Groups 1 and 2, respectively. The authors suggest that radical surgical interventions for complicated abdominal tuberculosis can improve the outcomes of treatment of this disease.