ABDOMINAL TUBERCULOSIS: A REPORT OF 32 CASES

Abdominal tuberculosis is still a prevalent problem of underdeveloped countries. Although its incidence has been reduced in developed countries, it is still seen in immigrants and immunodeficient patients frequently. In Iran, even though it's incidence has been reduced, we are still confronted with undesired mortality and morbidity. In this article we have evolved new management strategies for these patients and then we have performed a retrospective study of over 32 cases to evaluate the results on management of these patients during a 22 year period (1981 - 2003). Females had more involvement, and the mean age was 27.8 years. Fever, abdominal pain, and weight loss were common findings. There were three mortalities (9.3%) and three morbidities (9.3%) including two intestinal fistulae and one obstruction.