title: Choice of incision in surgical management of small bowel perforations in enteric fever.
abstract: Fifty six patients with typhoid enteric perforation who underwent operative treatment were randomly assigned to 2 groups. Twenty seven patients in group A underwent laparotomy via the Rutherford-Morrison incision while 29 patients in group B underwent the same procedure via a right paramedian incision. Surgical treatment consisted of two layer closure of the perforation with peritoneal lavage and tube drainage in all cases. Mean operating time in group A and group B was 45 +/- 10 minutes and 73 +/- 6 minutes respectively (p < 0.001). Postoperative wound dehiscence in group A and group B was observed in 2 and 11 cases respectively (p < 0.001). Incisional hernia developed in 8 patients in group B and none in group A (p < 0.01). Two patients in group A and 10 in group B developed adhesion-obstruction (p < 0.05). Differences in wound sepsis, pelvic abscess and mortality were not significant. Mean hospital stay in groups A and B was 12.4 days and 16.8 days respectively (p < 0.001). We conclude that in the presence of a confirmed preoperative diagnosis of typhoid enteric perforation, laparotomy via the Rutherford-Morrison incision may significantly reduce postoperative wound complications and morbidity without significantly altering the overall outcome.
authors.affiliation: Department of General Surgery, J.L.N. Medical College & Hospital, Ajmer, India.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Talwar
authors.forename: B L
authors.initials: BL
authors.lastname: Laddha
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Jain
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Prasad
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007416:Intestinal Perforation / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery*; D007813:Laparotomy / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014435:Typhoid Fever / Q000150:complications*