Prognostic factors in intestinal gangrene

103 patients with intestinal gangrene were treated over a ten-year period in Ile-Ife, Nigeria. The various causes of the intestinal gangrene were herniae (63%), intussusception (20%), adhesions (12%), volvulus (3%) and mesenteric vascular occlusion (2%). The presence of pre-operative shock, purulent and faeculent peritonitis, intra-peritoneal perforation of bowel and involvement of long bowel segments in the gangrene process; constitutes the important prognostic factors. The presence of a pre-operative febrile response also influences the course of the disease while the age and sex of the patient, the duration of symptoms and the portion of bowel involved showed no relationship with the ultimate outcome. It is recommended that the patients with the ominous prognostic factors constitute a high risk group and should be given intensive care to ensure survival.