Complications of small bowel tumors / 中国普通外科杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To study the complications of small bowel tumors (SBT) and their diagnosis and treatment. Methods A retrospective study was carried out among 47 SBT patients suffering from complications of SBT during the last two decades. Results Thirty-three cases (70%) were of malignant tumors. Complications included bleeding in 17 cases, perforation in 8, intussusception in 11, bowel obstruction in 8, volvulus, internal hernia and volvulus plus intussusception in one each. Abdominal pain was the most common presenting sign and symptom (40 cases). The mean interval from the onset of signs and symptoms to exploration was 4.7 months for those with malignant SBT and 3.1 months for benign ones. Roentgenography was the mainstay for diagnosis. Ultrasound, CT and MRI were also helpful. Benign tumors were treated with segmental resection of the affected bowel. Out of 33 malignant SBT patients, curative resection was performed in 26 and palliative resection in 7. Two patients died postoperatively.Conclusions Most patients with SBT were not correctly diagnosed until complications popped up. Surgery remains as the therapy of choice. [