Bowel Perforation Symptoms
A perforated bowel is a serious and potentially life-threatening medical emergency. Prompt diagnosis and treatment are essential because a hole in the bowel can allow faeces, bacteria and other waste products to leak into the abdominal cavity.
The symptoms of a bowel perforation can include severe abdominal pain, swelling, fever, nausea and changes in bowel movements. Anyone experiencing possible symptoms of a perforated bowel should seek urgent medical assistance.
What Are The Symptoms Of A Bowel Perforation?
The symptoms of a bowel perforation can vary according to the cause and extent of the damage. However, the typical warning signs include:
- Severe or intense abdominal pain;
- A swollen or bloated abdomen, sometimes known as abdominal distension;
- Abdominal tenderness;
- Fever or a high temperature;
- Chills and shivering;
- Nausea and vomiting;
- A change in bowel movements, including constipation or diarrhoea;
- Rectal bleeding or blood in the stool.
A person with a perforated bowel is likely to feel extremely unwell. If the perforation causes a serious infection, additional symptoms such as confusion and breathlessness may develop.
When Might A Bowel Perforation Be Suspected?
The possibility of a bowel perforation should be considered when these symptoms develop in someone who:
- Has recently undergone abdominal or bowel surgery;
- Has undergone a procedure such as a colonoscopy;
- Has experienced a traumatic injury to the abdomen;
- Has an inflammatory bowel condition such as Crohn's disease, diverticulitis or ulcerative colitis;
- Has an intestinal blockage or another condition that may have weakened the bowel wall.
Symptoms such as intense abdominal pain and fever can be particularly significant following an operation. You can read more about recognising a perforated bowel after surgery.
What Is A Perforated Bowel?
A perforated bowel, also known as a ruptured bowel, occurs when a hole, split or tear develops in the wall of the small or large intestine.
This can allow the contents of the bowel to leak into the abdominal cavity. The bacteria contained within this material can infect the lining of the abdomen, causing a serious condition called peritonitis.
What Can Cause A Bowel Perforation?
A bowel perforation can happen in several different ways. The bowel wall may be weakened by an existing medical condition, including Crohn's disease, diverticulitis or ulcerative colitis. A blockage can also place pressure on the bowel wall until a hole develops.
The bowel can be injured during a traumatic accident, such as a road traffic collision, or punctured during abdominal surgery or a medical procedure such as a colonoscopy.
Damage to the bowel is a recognised risk of several forms of surgery and does not necessarily mean that medical negligence has occurred. However, it is important that any damage is identified and treated quickly.
How Is A Bowel Perforation Diagnosed?
Where a bowel perforation is suspected, investigations should be carried out without delay. An X-ray or CT scan may show whether air has escaped into the abdominal cavity. In some circumstances, exploratory surgery may be required to diagnose and repair the perforation.
A patient's recent medical history will also be important. Doctors should take particular care when the patient has recently undergone abdominal surgery, experienced an injury or has a medical condition associated with bowel perforation.
How Is A Perforated Bowel Treated?
A diagnosed bowel perforation requires urgent treatment. Intravenous antibiotics may be needed to protect the patient against severe infection. In many cases, emergency surgery will be required to repair the damage and clean the abdominal cavity.
The treatment and recovery required will depend upon the extent of the damage and whether complications have developed. Further information can be found on our page about perforated bowel surgery and recovery.
What Happens If Diagnosis Is Delayed?
A delay in diagnosing and treating a bowel perforation can allow bacteria and waste matter to continue leaking into the abdominal cavity. This can cause peritonitis, an infection of the lining of the abdomen.
The infection may then spread into the bloodstream and cause sepsis. In severe cases, the patient may suffer multiple organ failure or die. Even where the patient survives, further surgery and a lengthy recovery may be required.
Read more about the possible complications of a perforated bowel.
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Can A Failure To Diagnose A Bowel Perforation Be Negligent?
A bowel perforation is not necessarily caused by medical negligence. It can occur naturally because of an existing condition or as a recognised complication of surgery or another medical procedure.
However, medical professionals should recognise symptoms that suggest a possible bowel perforation and arrange appropriate investigations and treatment. This may be particularly important when the patient has recently undergone abdominal surgery or a colonoscopy.
If important symptoms were not properly investigated, a deterioration was not acted upon or treatment was unreasonably delayed, the care provided may have fallen below an acceptable standard. A claim may be possible where that delay caused the patient to suffer additional or avoidable harm.
Speak To Glynns Solicitors
If you or a loved one suffered serious harm because a bowel perforation was not diagnosed or treated within a reasonable period of time, our specialist medical negligence team can assess what happened.
Read more about claiming for a bowel perforation, call us free on 0800 234 3300 or complete a Free Online Enquiry.
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