Background and Aims: Tuberculosis is one of the most common infectious diseases affecting the worlds population in general, and the Indian population in particular, across all age groups, causing significant morbidity, mortality and economic outfall. Uttar Pradesh (UP) being the most populous state of India contributes to the major burden of pulmonary as well as extra-pulmonary tuberculosis. This study was aimed to analyze the patients of gastrointestinal tuberculosis, particularly their clinical presentations and various surgical options undertaken in such patients. Materials and Methods: All the patients with gastrointestinal tuberculosis, more than 16 years of age were studied in this two and a half years retrospective study conducted at a tertiary care hospital in Western UP. Results: Ninety-three patients of gastrointestinal tuberculosis, ranging from 16-81 years were studied with most of them being in their third decade of life. Males constituted 62.4% and females 37.6% of the total patients (M: F ratio, 1.6:1). Abdominal discomfort and/or pain and weight loss were the most common presenting features. The Ileocecal area was the most common site involved in the gastrointestinal lumen whereas the retropancreatic and pancreaticoduodenal complex was the most common area involved among the solid organs of the gastrointestinal/ hepatopancreatic biliary system. Surgical intervention was required in 53 patients and all but one patient were treated with an Antitubercular treatment (ATT) regimen. Conclusion: Tuberculosis of the gastrointestinal and hepatopancreatic biliary system affects a large proportion of our countrys population, particularly in endemic areas. Patients with gastrointestinal tuberculosis usually neglect their symptoms for a long time and present late with complications, thus need surgical interventions. Therefore, a high degree of suspicion is required so that early diagnosis and treatment can be provided to such patients for a better outcome.
Key words: Gastrointestinal, tuberculosis, intestinal obstruction, right hemicolectomy, stricturoplasty
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