Publication:

Surgical manifestations and management of gastrointestinal and hepato-pancreato-biliary ascariasis: an observational study

Background Ascaris lumbricoides is the largest intestinal nematode parasite of humans. This study describes different presentations and management patterns of gastrointestinal and hepato-pancreato-biliary ascariasis presenting to a tertiary centre of North-eastern India.

Methods This was a prospective observational study aimed to study the presentations and management patterns of Ascaris related surgical diseases including intestinal obstruction, pancreatitis and cholangitis in a tertiary centre of Northeast India. All consenting cases of gastrointestinal and hepato-pancreato- biliary ascariasis admitted in our hospital were included.

Results Ninty patients with Ascaris sequeale were included, which included biliary ascariasis without cholangitis: 36, pancreatitis: 30, cholangitis: 18 and sub-acute intestinal obstruction: 6. Ultrasound was the most useful diagnostic investigation followed by stool examination and endoscopy. Hepato-pancreato-biliary ascariasis was managed conservatively and the progress monitored with sonography. The surgical management choledocho-duodenostomy was done for three patients having biliary ascariasis with unresolving obstructive jaundice and recurrent cholangitis on conservative management and 6 patients underwent therapeutic endoscopic worm removal. There were no deaths. No patient needed ICU care.

Conclusions Sonography can be helpful in diagnosing the presence of worms, its complications and in evaluating response to treatment. Hepato-pancreato-biliary ascariasis can be managed conservatively for majority of the patients.