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Mechanical small bowel obstruction in children at a tertiary care centre in Kashmir

Khursheed A Shiekh1, Aejaz A Baba, Syed Mudasir Ahmad

  • 1Department of Surgery, Sheri Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences, Srinagar, Kashmir, India.

African Journal of Paediatric Surgery : AJPS
|May 1, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Ascariasis is a leading cause of pediatric intestinal obstruction, resulting in significant mortality. Eradicating ascariasis through improved sanitation and hygiene is crucial in endemic regions.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Surgery
  • Gastroenterology
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Small bowel obstruction is a common pediatric surgical emergency.
  • Ascariasis is a significant cause of mortality and resource utilization in children with intestinal obstruction.
  • Other causes include intussusception, adhesions, volvulus, and hernias.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To analyze the clinical presentation, diagnostic methods, and management strategies for mechanical bowel obstruction in children.
  • To investigate the complications associated with pediatric intestinal obstruction.

Main Methods:

  • A retrospective study of 207 pediatric patients with intestinal obstruction from January 2005 to December 2007.
  • Diagnosis based on clinical history and radiological findings; dynamic obstructions were excluded.
  • Data collected on management type, operative findings, procedures, and post-operative complications.

Main Results:

  • Ascariasis accounted for 63.2% of obstructions, followed by adhesions (11.1%) and intussusception (10.1%).
  • Operative intervention was required in 126 patients, with enterotomy and resection anastomosis being common procedures.
  • Surgical complications included wound infection (14.2%), burst abdomen (3.9%), and fecal fistula (2.3%).

Conclusions:

  • Intestinal obstruction in children is linked to substantial morbidity and mortality.
  • Ascariasis is the predominant cause of intestinal obstruction in this pediatric cohort.
  • Public health initiatives focusing on ascariasis eradication through sanitation, hygiene, and anthelmintics are recommended for endemic areas.
Abstract

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