Perforazione ileale da febbre tifoide

Abstract

Typhoid fever continues to be a major public health problem in developing countries and mortality is mainly related to its most frequent complication, namely: intestinal perforation. The paper presents the case of a 12-year-old girl with abdominal pain associated with watery diarrhoea, vomiting, fever and general malaise for two weeks. Typhoid fever was suspected, therefore therapy with ceftriaxone was started. Clinical conditions were worsening, so X-ray of the abdomen was performed with evidence of hydro-aerial levels and ultrasound showing abundant non-homogeneous echogenic material in the pelvic cavity, consistent with purulent ascites. Exploratory laparotomy was performed showing an isolated perforation of the ileus, which was sutured. In the postoperative period, antibiotic therapy was boosted with metronidazole and gentamicin. Due to the wound dehiscence, surgical revision with secondary tension sutures was necessary.