Tuberculous perforations of the small intestine.

The hospital records of 58 patients operated on for tuberculous perforations of the small intestines at our hospital between 1987 and 1996 were reviewed. Clinical features were non-specific in the majority of the patients. Pneumoperitoneum on abdominal radiographs was present in only 28 (48.3%) patients. Forty-five (77.6%) were operated on within 36 hours of perforation. Surgical management consisted of resection and end-to-end anastomosis (n = 45); oval excision of the perforation and transverse anastomosis reinforced with an omental patch (n = 7); ileo-transverse colostomy (n = 5); and peritoneal drainage only (n = 1). There were 17 deaths (29.3%). Adverse prognostic factors were operation beyond 36 hours (p < 0.01), multiple perforations (p < 0.001), and faecal fistula formation (p < 0.01). Mortality was least with early resection and end-to-end anastomosis of the perforated bowel segment. We conclude that a high index of suspicion is essential for early diagnosis and optimal treatment of patients with tuberculous intestinal perforations.