COMPLICATIONS OF TYPHOID PERFORATION OF THE ILEUM IN CHILDREN AFTER SURGERY

Sixty six consecutive cases of typhoid perforation of the ileum in chi ldren between the ages of four and 14 years were analysed. 62.1% of th e children were boys and 37.9% girls, a boy/girl ratio of 1.6:1.0. Pos toperative complications included: wound infection, gaped wounds, inte stinal obstruction secondary to adhesions, wound dehiscence and pneumo nia, The most serious complication was enterocutaneous fistula and the most frequent was wound infection. These postoperative complications adversely affected the morbidity and mortality rates of these severely ill and debilitated patients with typhoid perforation of the ileum - a serious complication of enteric fever.