The prognostic factors in typhoid ileal perforation: a prospective study of 50 patients

Abstract

To determine the prognostic factors in typhoid ileal perforation, a prospective study was carried out in 50 patients with typhoid ileal perforation confirmed at operation. Attention was paid to pre-operative and post-operative factors. The sex ratio was 4:1 in favour of male, with an age range of 7-42 years and a mean of 19.5 years. The age and sex had no effect on the prognosis. Late presentation, delay in operation, multiple perforations, and drainage of copious quantities of pus and faecal material from the peritoneal cavity adversely affected the incidence of faecal fistula and the mortality rate. The development of faecal fistula significantly affected the mortality rate. Early presentation, single perforation and moderate amounts of pus/faecal matter draining from the peritoneal cavity enhanced the development of wound infection, wound dehiscence and residual intra-abdominal abscess. Fourteen patients (28%) died, 50% of these within the first 5 post-operative days. Seventy-one per cent of the 14 died within 10 days. Thus, surviving for more than 10 post-operative days tends to give a better chance of recovery. In conclusion, this study has attempted to outline those factors with a strong effect on the progression and outcome of typhoid ileal perforation in Nigerian patients.