[Acute abdomens of parasitic origin: retrospective analysis of 135 cases].
OBJECTIVE
To assess acute abdomens incidence of parasitic origin at Yaounde (Cameroon) and evaluate their different management modalities.


METHODS
Retrospective study from January 1973 to December 2002 of patients managed at Department of Surgery, Central Hospital, Yaounde (Cameroon).


RESULTS
Among 3464 acute abdomens managed by laparotomy during this period, 135 patients (3.9%) had a parasitic origin. Ninety-seven patients (79%) were operated on before 1990. Among these 135 patients, 63 (47%) had peritonitis secondary to liver amoebic abscess intraperitoneal rupture, 24 (18%) had acute intestinal obstruction due to an ascaridioma, 21 (15%) had appendicitis of parasitic origin, 15 (11%) had amoebic typhlitis, 4 (3%) had pancreatitis and/or angiocholitis caused by the obstruction of ampulla of Vater by an adult ascaris worm, 4 (3%) had intestinal perforation by ascaris, and 4 (3%) had intussusception (tricocephalus).


CONCLUSIONS
Incidence of abdominal emergencies of parasitic origin is unfrequent but not rare at Central Hospital, Yaounde, Cameroon. This incidence is decreasing over time. However, liver amoebic abscess intraperitoneal rupture is the most common cause of peritonitis and is still associated with postoperative high mortality rate. Preoperative diagnosis could lead to non-operative management that may be associated with better prognosis.
Service de Chirurgie Digestive, Hôpital Central de Yaoundé, Yaoundé, Cameroun.
A
A
Essomba
A
A
Chichom Mefire
M
M
Fokou
P
P
Ouassouo
P
P
Masso Misse
A
A
Esiene
L M
LM
Abolo
E E
EE
Malonga
D000006:Abdomen, Acute / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000469:parasitology* / Q000601:surgery*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002163:Cameroon / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007223:Infant; D008101:Liver Abscess, Amebic / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010272:Parasitic Diseases / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000601:surgery*; D012189:Retrospective Studies