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Prognostic factors of mechanical intestinal obstruction in Aba, Abia State, Nigeria
Abstract
Background: Mechanical intestinal obstruction is a leading cause of acute abdomen world-wide. In spite of advances in medical science, it still carries a significant morbidity and mortality. To improve on the prognosis, it is important to identify factors of prognostic significance in this condition.
Objective: To identify factors that affect outcome in mechanical intestinal obstruction in Aba.
Design: A one- year prospective study .
Setting: The Surgical Units of Abia State University Teaching Hospital, Maranatha Specialist Mission Hospital, Nnenna Hospital and Ebony Hospital, all in Aba, Abia State, Nigeria were used for the study.
Subjects: Consenting adult patients (18 years and above) with mechanical intestinal obstruction in the selected hospitals were recruited for the study.
Method: A prospective study was done in adult patients with mechanical intestinal obstruction between May 2004 and April 2005 in Abia State University Teaching Hospital, (ABSUTH), Maranatha Mission Hospital, Nnenna Hospital and Ebony Hospital, all in Aba, Abia State, Nigeria. The written permission of Institutional Review Board of ABSUTH and the consents of the Medical Directors of the three private hospitals used for the study were also obtained. Patients’ informed consents were obtained. On making the diagnosis, patients information which included demographic data and clinical features were entered in a proforma designed for the study. Results of investigations, treatment, complications and follow up were later added in the proforma. Patients with inter current diseases were excluded from the study. The data collected in the proforma were analyzed with EPI -INFO – 6 Soft ware. Chi- square (X2) test was used to test association with categorical variables. P value of less than or equal to 0.05 was taken as significant.
Results: The following factors were found to adversely affect the prognosis of mechanical intestinal obstruction in this study: duration of symptoms before presentation; pre operative indices- pulse rate, total Wbc, blood urea, serum creatinine, Na+ & K+; duration of symptom before presentation; type of surgical intervention; bowel viability; cause of obstruction; length of bowel resected and site of obstruction.
Conclusion: The morbidity and mortality associated with mechanical intestinal obstruction could improve if patients presented early and appropriate management initiated on time.
Objective: To identify factors that affect outcome in mechanical intestinal obstruction in Aba.
Design: A one- year prospective study .
Setting: The Surgical Units of Abia State University Teaching Hospital, Maranatha Specialist Mission Hospital, Nnenna Hospital and Ebony Hospital, all in Aba, Abia State, Nigeria were used for the study.
Subjects: Consenting adult patients (18 years and above) with mechanical intestinal obstruction in the selected hospitals were recruited for the study.
Method: A prospective study was done in adult patients with mechanical intestinal obstruction between May 2004 and April 2005 in Abia State University Teaching Hospital, (ABSUTH), Maranatha Mission Hospital, Nnenna Hospital and Ebony Hospital, all in Aba, Abia State, Nigeria. The written permission of Institutional Review Board of ABSUTH and the consents of the Medical Directors of the three private hospitals used for the study were also obtained. Patients’ informed consents were obtained. On making the diagnosis, patients information which included demographic data and clinical features were entered in a proforma designed for the study. Results of investigations, treatment, complications and follow up were later added in the proforma. Patients with inter current diseases were excluded from the study. The data collected in the proforma were analyzed with EPI -INFO – 6 Soft ware. Chi- square (X2) test was used to test association with categorical variables. P value of less than or equal to 0.05 was taken as significant.
Results: The following factors were found to adversely affect the prognosis of mechanical intestinal obstruction in this study: duration of symptoms before presentation; pre operative indices- pulse rate, total Wbc, blood urea, serum creatinine, Na+ & K+; duration of symptom before presentation; type of surgical intervention; bowel viability; cause of obstruction; length of bowel resected and site of obstruction.
Conclusion: The morbidity and mortality associated with mechanical intestinal obstruction could improve if patients presented early and appropriate management initiated on time.
