ABDOMINAL TUBERCULOSIS - EXPERIENCES WITH 300 CASES

  • 1 January 1977
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 67  (4) , 324-337
Abstract
Problems in the management of abdominal tuberculosis are discussed with reference to 300 surgically verified cases. The protein clinical manifestations depend on the site and extent of the disease, and its complications. Operation was resorted to for complications when diagnosis was in doubt and when intrinsic intestinal disease was proved. Surgery was preceded by antituberculous drugs whenever possible. At operation, the disease was found to involve the alimentary canal in 196 cases; in the remaining 104 only the lymph nodes and/or the peritoneum were affected. Intestinal resection was carried out in 100 cases. Emergency surgery carries a high mortality (18/76) because of toxemia, hypoproteinemia, anemia, etc. Positive histology was obtained in 229 cases. There was evidence of caseation in 179 cases. Caseation and peritoneal tubercles (103 cases) differentiate intestinal tuberculosis from Crohn''s disease. Despite considerable progress made in therapy and prophylaxis during the last quarter of the century, tuberculosis of various sites continues to be a major health hazard in India. The precise prevalence of Koch''s disease of the abdomen was not determined because of few surveys. This common malady, with its protean profiles and varied complications, continues to challenge the diagnostic acumen and therapeutic skill of clinicians.