Intestinal obstruction due to ascariasis

Intestinal obstruction due to ascariasis results from heavy worm infestation. This study is a review of 92 patients with intestinal obstruction from Ascaris lumbricoides.

Sixty-eight patients without peritonism were treated conservatively with resuscitation, antibiotics and anthelminthics. The remaining 24 patients presented with abdominal signs suggesting strangulation. Plain abdominal radiography was done in all patients. Abdominal ultrasonography was performed in the last 22 patients.

There were no deaths in the first group and duration of hospital stay ranged from 4 to 7 days. Five of 24 patients in the second group died during resuscitation. After successful resuscitation, 19 had a laparotomy. Six patients needed resection of gangrenous bowel with primary anastomosis, in 11 an enterotomy was used to remove obstructing worms and in two it was possible to milk obstructing worms into the colon. Seven patients died after operation, giving an overall mortality rate of 12 of 24 patients in the second group. The characteristic sonographic features of 'railway track' sign and 'bull's eye' appearance helped make the diagnosis of ascariasis, and ultrasonographic signs were also typical for strangulation in five patients.

Early clinical diagnosis supported by ultrasonography, together with prompt surgery when necessary, might reduce the mortality rate in what is still a potentially dangerous condition.