Background Abdominal cocoon (AC) or sclerosing encapsulating peritonitis is an uncommon cause of intestinal obstruction. Surgical intervention is warranted in patients with persistent pain or intestinal obstruction. Methodology A retrospective analysis of patients operated for AC was performed. Clinical presentation, radiological data, postoperative outcomes (Ryles tube (RT) removal, duration of hospital stay, enterocutaneous fistula, requirement for re-exploration and mortality) were retrieved and analyzed. Results Fifteen patients of abdominal cocoon required surgical intervention for various indications. The mean age was 34.46 years (13-60), and 11 (73.3%) were males. Intermittent abdominal pain was present in 14 (93.3%) followed by recurrent subacute intestinal obstruction (SAIO) in 11 (73.3%). Three patients presented with intestinal perforation. Of the 14 patients with preoperative computed tomography, radiological diagnosis was possible in five patients. The mean duration for surgery was 159 min (60-360 min). Membrane encasement was complete in 9/15 and partial in 6/15 patients. Adhesiolysis was done in all patients (complete-10/15 and partial-5/15). Mean duration for RT removal and hospital stay was 4.3 and 12.3 days, respectively. Recurrence of SAIO was observed in three patients, and one patient needed re-exploration for the same. One patient developed postoperative enterocutaneous fistula requiring surgical intervention. Overall mortality in the study was 13.3% (2/15). Four patients had underlying tuberculosis, and the rest were idiopathic. Conclusion Etiology of AC is not known in majority of patients. Persistent pain and recurrent SAIO are the most common indications for surgery. This morbidity associated with surgery can be reduced by meticulous dissection techniques and appropriate peri-operative care.Narender Dhaka: deceased now.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.