Non-traumatic Small Bowel Perforation: Comparisons of the Clinical Features of 20 Years Ago with Present

ABSTRACT

The majority of small bowel perforations are caused by an abdominal trauma. However, non-traumatic causes should not be ignored. The etiology of a non-traumatic small bowel perforation is varies and has chronological characteristics. This retrospective study was undertaken to investigate the chronological changes in non-traumatic small bowel perforations over the past twenty years, according to the clinical features, surgical methods, and the prognosis of those with a non-traumatic small bowel perforation. The results of this study showed that the incidence of a bacterial enteritis induced small bowel perforation has significantly decreased, and inflammatory bowel disease or collagen disease has become the major causes of a non-traumatic small bowel perforation. Moreover, geriatric patients over 70 years of age are more vulnerable to a non-traumatic small bowel perforation.