Small bowel volvulus complicating intestinal ascariasis in children.

Twenty-nine patients in whom small bowel volvulus complicated intestinal ascariasis are reported. Attention is drawn to the varied clinical and radiological presentation and the relationship of volvulus to the use of vermifuge. The mortality of 17 per cent was contributed to by delay in diagnosis and failure of pre-operative resuscitation. Early diagnosis is dependent upon clinical vigilance and repeated radiological assessment of those patients with simple ascaris obstruction who fail to improve rapidly with conservative treatment. The instillation of intraluminal vermifuge intra-operatively has minimized postoperative worm migration through suture lines and anastomoses.