Surgical manifestations and management of gastrointestinal and hepato-pancreato-biliary ascariasis: an observational study

Authors

  • Madhur Anand Department of General Surgery, NEIGRIHMS, Shillong, Meghalaya, India
  • Noor Topno Department of General Surgery, NEIGRIHMS, Shillong, Meghalaya, India
  • Ranendra Hajong Department of General Surgery, NEIGRIHMS, Shillong, Meghalaya, India
  • Arup J. Baruah Department of General Surgery, NEIGRIHMS, Shillong, Meghalaya, India
  • Donkupar Khongwar Department of General Surgery, NEIGRIHMS, Shillong, Meghalaya, India
  • Swati Agarwal Department of Anaesthesia, SGPGI, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, India

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18203/2349-2902.isj20204660

Keywords:

Ascariasis, Biliary, Cholangitis, Pancreatic

Abstract

Background: Ascaris lumbricoides is the largest intestinal nematode parasite of humans. This study describes different presentations and management patterns of gastrointestinal and hepato-pancreato-biliary ascariasis presenting to a tertiary centre of North-eastern India.

Methods: This was a prospective observational study aimed to study the presentations and management patterns of Ascaris related surgical diseases including intestinal obstruction, pancreatitis and cholangitis in a tertiary centre of Northeast India. All consenting cases of gastrointestinal and hepato-pancreato- biliary ascariasis admitted in our hospital were included.

Results: Ninty patients with Ascaris sequeale were included, which included biliary ascariasis without cholangitis: 36, pancreatitis: 30, cholangitis: 18 and sub-acute intestinal obstruction: 6. Ultrasound was the most useful diagnostic investigation followed by stool examination and endoscopy. Hepato-pancreato-biliary ascariasis was managed conservatively and the progress monitored with sonography. The surgical management choledocho-duodenostomy was done for three patients having biliary ascariasis with unresolving obstructive jaundice and recurrent cholangitis on conservative management and 6 patients underwent therapeutic endoscopic worm removal. There were no deaths. No patient needed ICU care.

Conclusions: Sonography can be helpful in diagnosing the presence of worms, its complications and in evaluating response to treatment. Hepato-pancreato-biliary ascariasis can be managed conservatively for majority of the patients.

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Published

2020-10-23

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Original Research Articles