Surgical Management of Enteric Perforation by Using Omental Patch : A Prospective Study of 60 Patients

Enteric perforation is a serious complication of typhoid fever. Depending upon the bowel condition, primary closure of perforation is the treatment of choice. Development of fecal fistula is the key apprehension in primary closure. The purpose of this study is to find out the benefit of an omental patch when used over primary closure. It is a small study of 60 patients, which were divided into two groups: Group I - Primary closure with omental patch, and Group II - only primary closure. The outcomes were measured in relation to wound infection, fecal fistula, wound dehiscence, and intra-abdominal abscess. The incidence of complications including fecal fistula and mortality is significantly lower in the group-I patients. Fecal fistula occurs in 13.33% in group II, while in only 3.3% in group I. There was no significant difference in the incidence of wound infection and wound dehiscence. Primary closure with an omental patch is a better option compared with only primary closure in enteric perforation patients. It can be suggested as an alternative method to primary closure only in selective enteric perforation patients. [Arch Clin Exp Surg 2013; 2(2.000): 80-84