Abdominal Localisation of Tuberculosis and the Role of Surgery

Abdominal tuberculosis is a rare disease presented by non-specific symptoms, laboratory and radiography findings that make it difficult to diagnose. Surgical treatment of 11 patients (8 males, 3 females, age range 27-74 years), with abdominal tuberculosis was analyzed retrospectively and the literature was reviewed. Urgent surgical intervention was done in 6 cases due to peritonitis, while in 5 it was done after a minimal diagnostic procedure. Surgical exploration was done in 5 patients (45,4%), ileostomy in 4 (36,4%), right-hemicolectomy in 2 (18,2%). Six patients were operated once, 4 were operated twice and one had 4 operations. Eight patients survived (72,7%), 3 died (27,3%). Simultaneus abdominal and pulmonary involvment was registered in 6 patients (54,5%). Diagnosis of tuberculosis was confirmed with a pathology exam. Surgical intervention is very often the only diagnostic and also a therapeutic option for patients with abdominal tuberculosis.