Ascaris peritonitis and peritoneal granuloma in China

This article is a survey of the Chinese literature of perforation of gastrointestinal tract by ascaris. We wish to draw attention to the acute abdominal disease of ascaris infection, and acute ascaris peritonitis as a result of perforation, most cases being found in children. The disease has very high morbidity (24/112; 21.4%) and high mortality (17/112; 15.2%). Early detection and operation are of critical importance. Perforation of gastrointestinal tract by ascaris may develop into peritoneal granuloma, which has a different clinical presentation and outcome.