Case Report

Intestinal obstruction caused by Ascaris lumbricoides: an unusual case

  • Erdal Türk
  • Naile Dölek

Received Date: 26.06.2009 Accepted Date: 16.09.2010 Gulhane Med J 2010;52(3):225-228

Ascaris lumbricoides is a parasite, which commonly affects children with low socioeconomic status especially in tropical and rural areas. Intestinal obstruction has been estimated to occur in 2 of 1000 Ascaris-infected children per year. This obstruction may develop acutely or subacutely. Subacute cases are successfully treated with antiparasitary drugs, while emergency surgical treatment may be necessary in severely infected cases in whom either parasites intensely obstructs the intestinal lumen or intestinal obstruction develops due to volvulus. A 2.5-year-old patient in whom intestinal obstruction developed due to Ascaris lumbricoides and a successful surgical treatment was performed is herein presented.

Keywords: Ascaris lumbricoides, intestinal obstruction, surgical intervention