Pattern and Outcome of Typhoid Perforation in Benin City

Over a 26-year period, there were only twenty four cases of perforated typhoid that were operated at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital. Four cases had incomplete data and were excluded from the study and only twenty cases were therefore included in the study. Of the twenty patients, there were 12 males and 8 females and the age range was between 11 and 45 years, with a mean of 25.65 years. The main complaints were fever, abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea or constipation. Most of the patients presented late to the hospital. Most of the patients had single perforations. Simple closure was the method of treatment in most of the patients. Wound infection was the major post operation complication. The average hospital stay was 16.3 days. We conclude that compared with other tertiary health institutions in Nigeria, the incidence of typhoid perforation is low at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City, Nigeria and simple closure of perforations is efficient in managing typhoid perforations.