Surgical management of worm volvulus
Madiba, T.E.; Hadley, G.P.
South African Journal of Surgery. Suid-Afrikaanse Tydskrif Vir Chirurgie 34(1): 33-5; Discussion 35-6
1996
ISSN/ISBN: 0038-2361 PMID: 8629187 Document Number: 466775
A retrospective study in South Africa (January 1984 to December 1993) of 50 consecutive patients with small-bowel volvulus complicating intestinal ascariasis (Ascaris lumbricoides) is reported. The commonest presenting features were abdominal distension (44 patients) and abdominal pain (38 patients). 33 patients presented with vomiting, of whom 8 vomited worms. 25 patients presented with peritonitis. In 33 patients there was evidence of worm infection on radiographs whereas volvulus was diagnosed radiographically in 16 patients. 32 patients required emergency surgery, and 16 were observed for a mean of 2.6 days before surgery. 39 patients had gangrenous bowel that required resection. The overall mortality rate was 14.5% and all deaths were from the gangrenous group.