Can You Recover From a Perforated Bowel?
In short, yes, it is possible to recover from a perforated bowel. Although it is a life-threatening condition, prompt diagnosis and treatment can lead to a full recovery. A failure to diagnose, however, can be devastating and in some occastions lead to a claim for compensation for medical negligence.
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What is a perforated bowel?
A perforated bowel is where the lining of the bowel (the intestines) has torn or split for some reason, allowing the contents of the bowel to leak through into the abdominal cavity. This can allow bacteria to spread, causing additional and life-threatening complications.
A tear can occur at any point in the digestive system, but is usually at some point in the intestines, either the small intestine or the large intestine, otherwise called the colon.
A perforated bowel is sometimes referred to as a ruptured bowel, a torn bowel or a punctured bowel.
Why does it happen?
A perforated bowel can occur as a result of a pre-existing condition such as crohn's disease or diverticulitis where pressure and scar tissue build up in the digestive system, leading to a split in the lining of the intestines.
However, a perforated bowel can also be as a result of an accident during surgery, such as gallbladder surgery, where the surgeon cuts the lining of the bowel during the procedure. This is a known risk in some operations and should be spotted at the time.
What are the effects of a perforated bowel?
If a perforated bowel is not identified promptly, it can lead to peritonitis. This means that the bacteria has infected the lining of the abdomen. If this infection spreads to the blood stream, it can lead to blood-poisoning, organ failure and, in the worst cases, death.
What are the symptoms of a perforated bowel?
If you start to experience the following symptoms, it may be that you are developing peritonitis as a result of a perforated bowel:
- Nausea
- A high temperature
- Abdominal pain
- Loss of appetite
If you have recently undergone abdominal surgery or have a condition of the digestive system, your medical practitioner should consider the possibility of a ruptured bowel.
Can you recover from a perforated bowel?
It is possible to recover from peritonitis as a result of a perforated bowel. The patient will need a course of intravenous antibiotics to get rid of the infection. Surgery is likely to be required to repair the damage to the lining of the bowel and a colostomy bag may be fitted if it is necessary to remove a part of the bowel.
Factors which might affect the extent of recovery include the patient's underlying health, their age, a pre-existing and on-going digestive disorder, alcohol abuse or the presence of a number of other medical conditions such as a kidney disorder.
Recovery is most likely where the condition is diagnosed and treated promptly before more serious complications are allowed to develop.
Medical Negligence
Where a perforated bowel is not diagnosed despite the presence of key symptoms, or where a cut during surgery is not identified and repaired at the time, the patient may be entitled to make a claim for compensation.
Contact Glynns Solicitors, specialists in medical negligence claims, to discuss your situation.
Call us free on 0800 234 3300 (or from a mobile 01275 334030) or complete our Online Enquiry Form.
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