DOI: 10.36347/sjams.2017.v05i09.007

Pages: 3502-3509

Abdominal tuberculosis is an increasingly common disease that posts diagnostic challenge as the nonspecific features of the disease may lead to diagnostic delays and development of complications. A high index of suspicion is an important factor in early diagnosis. Abdominal involvement may occur in the GI tract, peritoneum, lymph nodes or solid viscera. Early diagnosis and initiation of anti-TB therapy and surgical treatment are essential to prevent morbidity and mortality. A retrospective study was conducted on 60 patients with abdominal TB from January 2016 to May 2017 in Basaveshwar Teaching and General Hospital, Kalaburagi. The median age was 32 years (Range 6-70 years). The majority of patients had primary abdominal TB with a M:F of 2:1. A total of 27 patients (45%) presented with intestinal obstruction, 18 patients (30%) presented with peritonitis, 5 patients (8.3%) presented with abdominal masses. A total of 54 patients (90%) underwent surgical treatment for abdominal TB, Stricture in 16 patients (32%) were the most common operative finding. Ileocecal region was the most common bowel involved in 25 (54.3%) patients. Surgical procedure performed were : resection of the diseased segment of bowel including right hemicolectomy in 18 (33.3%) cases, release of bands and adhesions 16 (29.6%) cases, perforation repair in 12 cases (22.2%), stricturoplasty in 2 cases (13.7%). In presence of gross peritonitis temporary ileostomy is performed. Complications and mortality rates were 16.6% and 3.7% respectively. 1 patient had post operative intestinal leak and another had developed fecal fistula. The median duration of hospital stay was 14 days. This study emphasizes the importance of early recognition diagnosis and surgical management of this potentially treatable disease. Keywords: Tuberculosis abdomen, clinico pathological profile, intestinal stricture, bowel perforation, resection anastomosis