[Ileus due to adhesions as a consequence of abdominal surgery in childhood - analysis of 94 cases].

INTRODUCTION

Ileus due to adhesions is a common postoperative complication. However, there are only rare reports of this condition occuring in children. The aim of this study was to determinate the risk of incidence of intestinal adhesion ileus in children after abdominal operations.

MATERIAL AND

METHODS

Retrospective studies were carried out on a group of 94 children operated in the Department of Pediatric Surgery and Urology of the Polish Mother's Memorial Hospital - Research Institute in Łódź in the years 1996-2005, in whom adhesions were found on relaparotomy. The following parameters were analysed:indication for operation age at first laparotomy, timeintervalbetweenl aparotomyandrelaparotomy, localization and extent of adhesions, complications after adhesiolysis, indications for relaparotomy.

RESULTS

Among 1987 children in whom laparotomy was performed, in 94 intestinal adhesions were found. The majority of relaparatomies were performed in the first 6 months after the primary operation.

CONCLUSIONS

Adhesive bowel obstruction is a frequent and serious complication after laparotomy especially in the neonatal period. It occurs most frequently in the 6 months after the primary operation.