Ramish Kumar, Muhammad Saddique, Pervaiz Iqbal, Naveed Ali Khan.
Abdominal tuberculosis: clinical presentation and outcome.
Pak J Surg Jan ;23(4):242-4.

Objective: To study the clinical presentation and outcome of cases of Abdominal Tuberculosis. Design & Duration: Prospective cross-sectional study from January 2005 to December 2006. Setting: Surgical Unit II & V, Civil Hospital, Karachi. Patients: Fifty four patients of Abdominal Tuberculosis were seen during the study period Four patients were lost to follow-up, which were excluded Methodology: Detailed information of all the patients including age, sex, symptoms, signs, investigations and management was recorded, analyzed and compared with local and international data. Results: Out of the 50 patients with Abdominal Tuberculosis, 31 were females and 19 males. Their ages ranged from 17 to 63 years, with a mean age 425.1 years. Thirty five cases were admitted through Emergency and 15 through Outpatients departments. Abdominal pain was the most common symptom found in 44 (88%) patients followed by vomiting in 33 (66%). Abdominal tenderness was seen in 22 (44%) patients, while 16 (32%) patients had rigidity and other features of peritonitis. Surgery was performed in all these patients, limited right hemicolectomy in 17 (34%), segmental resection and anastomosis in 12 (24%), ileostomy and strictureplasty in six (12%) each, repair of perforation in five (10%) and adhesiolysis in four (8%) patients. Overall mortality was 8% due to septicaemia and multiorgan Conclusion: Abdominal Tuberculosis is a significant clinical entity with lethal complications in neglected cases. It affects a younger age group and is more common in females. Clinical features are rather non-specific but vague ill health, low grade fever, weight loss and anorexia may help to diagnose the case.

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