Typhoid perforation ileitis is a serious complication of typhoid fever. 

The purpose of a recent study published in the African Journal of Pediatric Surgery was to deduce the rate of post-operative Intensive Care Unit (ICU) admission in patients with typhoid perforation who underwent surgical correction.

This was a prospective observational study in which 67 consecutive patients who had exploratory laparotomy for typhoid perforation in the University College Hospital, Ibadan, were studied. 

It was found that overall, 37.3% required critical care. Reasons for admission included poor respiratory effort, hypotension, septic shock and delayed recovery fromanesthesia. While 84% patientsrequired mechanical ventilation with a duration-range of 1-5 days. Fourteen patients required ionotropic support and the length of ICU stay ranged from 1-15 days. Meanwhile, 76% patients were successfully managed and discharged to the ward; however, a mortality rate of 24% was recorded.

The results depicted a high rate of post-operative ICU admission in patients with typhoid perforation, with a high demand for critical care involving mechanical ventilation and ionotropic support. Therefore, in centers that manage patients presenting with typhoid ileitis and perforation, post-operative critical care should be available.

Source: African Journal of Pediatric Surgery. Oct-Dec 2016;13(4):175-180.doi: 10.4103/0189-6725.194664.