Ileal typhoid perforation: a study of 40 cases

ABSTRACT

This is a retrospective study of 40 patients, who presented as acute abdomen and underwent emergency surgery for ileal perforations. High grade fever, abdominal pain, vomiting and constipation were common symptoms, while generalized tenderness, rigidity and obliteration of liver dullness were the main clinical findings. Sex incidence revealed male predominance, 33 male versus 7 females. The ages of the patients ranged from 12 to 75 years with a mean of 34 years. Ileal perforation due to typhoid enteritis was the diagnosis in all cases. Surgical procedures carried out included primary closure of the perforation in 27 cases and primary closure with loop ileostomy in 12 cases. In one case right hemicolectomy was performed. A mortality rate of 15% was seen in this series