Anytime you undergo a surgical procedure involving your abdomen, there is a risk of intestinal perforation, where your bowel could end up perforated or nicked by the surgeon. In such cases, emergency surgery is often required to address the condition and prevent life-threatening complications.
Knowing this, your surgeon should conduct an examination of your intestines prior to closing and repairing any damage found.
Two issues arise from this scenario. First, the surgeon may miss a nick or perforation. Second, doctors and other medical personnel responsible for your post-operative care may not properly monitor you, and you could end up with a life-threatening infection or internal bleeding. Close monitoring after the surgery is essential since stitches or staples could also fail and cause you harm. If you have been harmed by such medical malpractice, the dedicated attorneys at Davis & Davis can help you pursue compensation.
Why a Perforated Bowel Is Dangerous
A perforated bowel can lead to serious complications beyond localized damage. Once the contents of the small intestine or large intestine leak into the abdominal cavity, it creates the perfect environment for infection. If untreated, this can quickly escalate into perforated bowel sepsis, a life-threatening systemic response to infection.
The bowel wall is designed to keep waste material contained. A tear or rupture undermines that barrier, allowing bacteria to invade surrounding tissues and internal organs. Prompt treatment is essential to reduce the risk of permanent damage, or worse, fatal complications from sepsis.
Recognizing Bowel Obstruction and Perforation Symptoms
After an abdominal procedure, there are signs doctors must watch for to catch a bowel perforation early. Among them are:
– Abdominal pain that worsens over time
– Nausea and vomiting
– Fever or chills
– Signs of a bowel obstruction, such as inability to pass gas or stool
– Bloating or distention
Bowel obstruction symptoms may overlap with inflammatory bowel disease, peptic ulcer disease, or even colon cancer, making accurate diagnosis critical. Any failure to properly evaluate these warning signs could delay intervention and allow complications like sepsis to develop.
How Imaging and Blood Tests Confirm the Diagnosis
If symptoms occur outside the hospital, the emergency room must quickly consider a recent abdominal surgery as a risk factor. Imaging tests like CT scans can show gas or fluid leaking from the bowel wall, confirming an intestinal perforation. Additional blood tests help identify infection levels and determine whether internal bleeding or sepsis is already developing.
Early surgical intervention is often required to prevent the condition from worsening. Left untreated, perforation can lead to widespread infection throughout the abdominal cavity, significantly increasing the risk of complications and long-term consequences.
Understanding Treatment and Recovery
Most bowel perforations require immediate surgery. In some cases, a section of the intestine is bypassed by creating an opening in the abdomen (a stoma), allowing waste to exit into a bag while the tissue heals. This is often a temporary solution, with another surgery later to reattach the intestine. In severe cases, such interventions may become permanent.
Antibiotics and IV fluids are key in treating sepsis and any localized infection. Recovery may take weeks, and additional complications like treatment failure, severe abdominal pain, or scar tissue may extend the process. The length of your hospital stay will depend on how early the condition was identified and whether medical procedures were performed appropriately.
Risk Factors for Bowel Perforation
Several underlying conditions and procedural complications increase the risk of bowel perforation. Common risk factors include:
– Previous abdominal surgery
– Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis
– Severe constipation or partial bowel obstruction
– Peptic ulcer disease
– Trauma to the abdomen
– Duodenal perforations from ulcers
Some patients may also develop complications from gastrointestinal perforation during medical procedures, such as colonoscopies or laparoscopic surgery. Failure to identify and repair damage during these treatments may result in a large bowel obstruction, internal leakage, or sepsis.
Long-Term Effects and Recovery After Bowel Perforation
Recovery from a bowel perforation or perforated bowel sepsis doesn’t end when the infection is under control or the surgical repair is completed. Many patients experience long-term complications that can affect daily function and overall health. These may include recurring abdominal pain, issues with digestion, or scarring that increases the risk of future bowel obstruction.
For some, the experience results in prolonged bowel rest, dietary restrictions, or dependence on an ostomy bag. Individuals with chronic conditions like Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, or peptic ulcer disease may face an even more difficult recovery, particularly if the small intestine or large intestine was severely damaged. Follow-up care is essential to monitor for partial bowel obstruction, nutritional deficiencies, or any signs of recurring infection.
Patients often need months of healing, including physical recovery and emotional adjustment. If medical negligence played a role in your condition or worsened your outcome, it’s important to seek answers and explore your legal rights as soon as possible.
What Are Your Legal Options?
Going through this type of ordeal is not only hard on your body but also on your life and your bank account. Your life may change significantly, at least temporarily. Even if you heal properly and the infection clears, you could suffer residual issues. In addition, you probably missed work for a while, incurred medical expenses, and sustained other damages at the same time.
Under Texas law, you may pursue compensation for these losses if your care falls below the accepted standard of care. In order to know for sure, you may benefit from seeking a complete evaluation of your case by making use of the legal resources available to you.
Legal Representation from Davis & Davis
If you suffered complications from a perforated bowel or were misdiagnosed after abdominal surgery, you deserve answers. At Davis & Davis, we focus exclusively on medical malpractice law and bring more than 70 years of combined experience to your case. Whether your intestinal perforation was missed or your infection was left untreated until sepsis developed, we know what to look for in the medical record and how to hold negligent providers accountable.
We’ve handled hundreds of complex cases involving digestive and kidney diseases, surgical errors, and diagnostic failures. We understand the toll this takes on your health, finances, and peace of mind. Contact us at (713) 781-5200 or reach out through our contact form to discuss your case.
FAQs About Perforated Bowel and Sepsis
What causes a perforated bowel?
A perforated bowel occurs when a hole forms in the bowel wall, allowing contents to leak into the abdominal cavity. Common causes include complications from abdominal surgery, inflammatory bowel disease, peptic ulcer disease, and trauma. Certain medical procedures, like colonoscopies or endoscopies, also carry a risk of intestinal perforation if not performed carefully.
Can a bowel obstruction lead to a perforated bowel?
Yes. A bowel obstruction, especially a complete bowel obstruction, increases pressure within the intestines, which can cause tearing. This is true for both small bowel obstruction and large bowel obstruction cases. If left untreated, the obstruction can cause a rupture, leading to internal infection or perforated bowel sepsis.
What are the symptoms of a perforated bowel?
Bowel perforation symptoms may include severe abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, fever, and abdominal swelling. These can resemble bowel obstruction symptoms, making diagnosis difficult without imaging and blood tests. Any delay in recognizing these signs can result in rapid progression to sepsis or even death.
How is a perforated bowel treated?
Treatment often involves emergency surgery to close the hole and clean the abdominal cavity. If the bowel needs time to heal, surgeons may temporarily reroute waste using a stoma. Infections are treated aggressively with antibiotics. Severe cases involving gastrointestinal perforation may require multiple procedures and extended hospital stays.
Can I file a malpractice claim for complications from a perforated bowel?
If doctors failed to recognize or treat a bowel perforation or did not properly monitor you after surgery, and you developed sepsis or other complications, you may have a claim. This is especially true when abdominal pain or other signs are ignored or if a bowel obstruction was mismanaged. Legal consultation can help determine if your standard of care was violated.
