Clinical profile and management outcomes of gastrointestinal perforations: a comprehensive analysis from a tertiary care center

Background: Gastrointestinal perforation represents a critical surgical emergency with significant morbidity and mortality. Understanding the epidemiological patterns, clinical presentations, and treatment outcomes is essential for optimizing patient management. This study aimed to analyze the clinical profile, etiological factors, and surgical outcomes of gastrointestinal perforations in a tertiary care setting. Methods: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted over 24 months at a tertiary care center. Ninety-seven patients with gastrointestinal perforation diagnosed intraoperatively were included. Data on demographics, clinical presentation, investigations, surgical management, and outcomes were analyzed using SPSS trial version. Results: The mean age was 42.94±18.32 years with male predominance (80.41%). The ileum was the most commonly affected site (31.96%), followed by caecum/colon (23.71%) and stomach (16.49%). Trauma was the leading etiology (30.93%), followed by idiopathic causes (24.74%) and peptic ulcer disease (14.43%). Generalized abdominal pain was universal (100%), with nausea/vomiting in 85.57% patients. Simple closure was the most common surgical procedure (41.82%). Surgical site infection was the predominant complication (60.82%). The overall mortality rate was 15%. Conclusions: Gastrointestinal perforation predominantly affects middle-aged males, with trauma being the leading cause. Early recognition, prompt surgical intervention, and effective perioperative management are crucial for improving outcomes. The high complication rate emphasizes the need for enhanced infection control measures and postoperative care protocols.