Worm Infestation Still a Tropical Problem: Surgical Issues

• Published in: Indian journal of surgery Vol. 83; no. Suppl 4; pp. 852 - 858
• Main Authors: Chowdri, Nisar Ahmad, Wani, Mehmood A, Nisar, Iqra, Mehraj, Asif
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New Delhi Springer India 01-10-2021; Springer; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Cardiac Surgery; Diagnosis; Gastrointestinal diseases; Gastrointestinal system; Health aspects; Medical treatment; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Neurosurgery; Parasitic diseases; Pediatric Surgery; Plastic Surgery; Review Article; Surgery; Surgical outcomes; Thoracic Surgery; Tropical diseases; Worms; Ascariasis; Worm infestation; Complications of ascariasis; Surgical treatment of ascariasis; Tropical Disease
• ISSN: 0972-2068; 0973-9793
• DOI: 10.1007/s12262-021-02827-w

Worm infestations are still quite common in the whole world and more so prevalent in tropical countries. Ascariasis is one of the most common form of parasitic infections in humans. It is found in any part of the gastrointestinal tract, including hepatobiliary system as well. It can present as a wide range of clinical spectrum ranging from asymptomatic carriers to anemia, bowel obstruction, cholangitis, and obstructive jaundice besides other manifestations. Various diagnostic modalities are used to establish diagnosis of this condition including clinical examination, ultrasonography, CT scan, and magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP). Most of the times, medical management is sufficient; however, many times due to complications associated with these worms, endoscopic or surgical intervention is required. In this review, we will discuss various clinical features, diagnostic modalities, and treatment options of this disease.