Tuberculous Bowel Obstruction at a Referral Hospital in East Africa

Bowel obstruction caused by intestinal TB is more common in emerging, low-income countries in East Africa. In developing countries, intestinal TB, which accounts for 2% of all TB cases globally, is a serious issue. For simple cases of intestinal TB, medical anti-TB therapy is employed; nevertheless, surgery is necessary for complications such intestine obstruction and perforations that result in peritonitis. This case report's goal is to alert surgeons to the possibility that TB patients may present with abdominal TB sequelae such small intestinal obstruction. a 45-year-old man who had been experiencing broad intermittent abdominal pain and sporadic vomiting for two months. Two minor bowel strictures were found in the ileocaecal area during laparotomy. He underwent a limited right hemicolectomy, an ileocolic anastomosis, and was postoperatively placed on anti-TB medicine. Following surgery, the histology revealed intestinal TB with signs of TB lymphadenitis and persistent granulomatous inflammation. Bowel blockage caused by tuberculosis is very common in our environment and raises mortality and morbidity rates. Abdominal TB frequently becomes problematic since the vast majority of patients arrive late. When patients come with small bowel obstruction, surgeons should have a high clinical suspicion level and, if a diagnosis has been made, the patient should be quickly assessed for anti-TB medication and surgery.