Necrotising Fasciitis after Negligent Bowel Perforation
Necrotising fasciitis is a rarely occurring infection but its effects can be utterly devastating. It is associated with a high mortality rate and significant long-term debilitating symptoms in those patients who survive.
The threat of necrotising fasciitis
The bacteria associated with this appalling and life-changing infection cause the body's tissue to decay. The more it spreads, and it spreads very quickly, the more extensive the decay and death of the tissue occurs.
Treatment demands the total surgical removal of all infected tissue, meaning that some patients suffer considerable loss of tissue simply due to the treatment. Such is the severity of this virulent illness, that it is sometimes considered better to remove the patient's limb, be it a leg or an arm, rather than risk the further spread of the bacteria in the body.
Often caused by trauma or injury to the exterior of the body, allowing bacteria to reach the deep soft tissue, necrotising can also arise from the perforation of the bowel.
Bowel perforation and necrotising fasciitis
A perforated bowel is a medical emergency for good reason. A hole in the bowel wall allows bacterial matter to leak into the abdomen where it is likely to set up severe infection. Sepsis, peritonitis and necrotising fasciitis can follow.
The long-term integrity of the patient's bowel and their major abdominal organs can be compromised by such an eventuality. Consequently, the patient may lose bowel function and require a colostomy.
If sepsis develops, the patient may suffer multiple organ failure and die.
Medical negligence
If a bowel perforation causing necrotising fasciitis is due to medical negligence, it may be appropriate to make a claim for compensation.
- A failure to diagnose and treat a bowel disorder such as diverticulitis or cancer, leading to a rupturing of the bowel, may be regarded as negligent
- An accidental perforation of the bowel during a procedure such as a colonoscopy may also be regarded as negligent
Speak to a solicitor
If you or a loved one are suffering the shocking long-term impact of a necrotising fasciitis infection due to medical negligence, it may be appropriate to make a claim for compensation.
Contact Glynns Solicitors, specialists in medical negligence compensation claims, to talk to a solicitor with expertise in necrotising fasciitis claims.
Please call us free on 0800 234 3300 (or from a mobile 01275 334030) or complete our Online Enquiry Form.
Make An Enquiry
Why Choose Us
- Specialist medical negligence solicitors
- Free initial enquiries
- No win, no fee available
Reviews
Our Expertise
Helping Clients Across England & Wales
