Evaluating Intestinal Blockage Caused by Tuberculosis

Abstract

Introduction: Intestinal tuberculosis-related bowel blockage has been observed to be more common. This study aimed to identify the factors that led to these patients' outcomes, and we need to understand the clinicopathological features, surgical strategy, and outcomes of tuberculous intestinal obstruction in our local setting. Methodology: This 2-year retrospective analysis included 46 patients (40 men, 6 women), or 4.5% of intestinal mechanical obstructions. The clinical picture of more than 80% of the patients included lower small intestine blockage, and 90.5% had advanced pulmonary tuberculosis.
Results: The ileocaecal area was the site of obstruction in 54.6% of cases. Intestinal TB in its hypertrophic form was the predominant lesion-producing obstruction (86.4%). Due to the lack of distinct symptoms and indicators, intestinal TB was difficult to diagnose as a cause of obstruction.
Conclusion: Leocolostomies were frequently employed (68.2%) in terms of management. However, the long-term outcomes could have been better. One drawback was the blind loop phenomenon. The safest and most efficient procedure can be resection.