Surgical diagnosis and management of intestinal obstruction due to ascaris lumbricoides

Background: Ascariasis continues to be one of the most important parasitic diseases in terms of its burden and complications in children in the developing world. Methods: Case report and literature review (Medline, SCI, and LILACS). Results: We report herein a case in which a Paraguayan infant presented with one of these complications: An intestinal obstruction due to Ascaris lumbricoides being diagnosed during surgery. The patient was managed with a conservative protocol for the extraction of the parasites using liquid petrolatum administered through a nasogastric tube followed with extensive water irrigation through the tube, in conjunction with the administration of piperazine as antiparasitic treatment. Conclusions: This case, as with others reported previously, shows that this complication can be managed successfully without major intestinal surgery. Early recognition of this condition, based on local prevalence, can prevent serious surgical complications, morbidity, and mortality associated with intestinal obstruction due to A. lumbricoides.