title: Changing pattern of acute intestinal obstruction in a tropical African population.
abstract: A study of one hundred and forty-two patients with acute intestinal obstruction over a period of ten years (January 1985-December 1994) at Wesley Guild Hospital was undertaken to determine the pattern and outcome of this problem in a tropical African population. There was a preponderance of males over females; ratio 1.7:1. Mean age was 33 years and over half of the patients were aged between two and 30 years. There was a second peak age incidence among elderly patients between 50-80 years. Abdominal pain, vomiting and constipation were common symptoms, while abdominal distension and tenderness were common clinical findings. Intraperitoneal adhesions were responsible in 41.5%; there was associated intestinal volvulus in 25.4% of the cases of intraperitoneal adhesions. In 16.9%, strangulated external hernia was responsible for acute intestinal obstruction. Small intestinal volvulus was encountered in 20 cases (14.1%) and associated with adhesion in 75% of the cases. Intussusception occurred in 14.1% of cases of which 70% of the patients were below the age of 15 years. In 15 (10.6%) patients, there were volvulus of the sigmoid colon, with 80% (12 patients) having gangrenous bowel segments. Ascaris were responsible in 3.5% of the patients and large bowel tumour in 2.8%. Other rare causes were internal hernia and ileal pseudo obstruction. Adhesiolysis and intestinal resection were the commonest operative procedures. Common complications were wound infection in 16.2%, postoperative fever in 10.6% and chest infection in 9.1%. A mortality rate of 8.4% was recorded.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, College of Health Sciences, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife, Nigeria.
authors.forename: A R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Adesunkanmi
authors.forename: E A
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Agbakwuru
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007223:Infant; D007415:Intestinal Obstruction / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009549:Nigeria; D011379:Prognosis; D017678:Sex Distribution; D016896:Treatment Outcome