Surgical ErrorsBowel Perforations

Abdominal surgeries and gastroenterological procedures can result in the bowel being damaged. Proper visualization of the intestines by a surgeon is important to prevent an accidental bowel perforation. During a surgery and most importantly before the surgical site is closed an inspection should be made for bowel perforations. Inspections during the surgical procedure can lead to bowel perforations being corrected before serious damages occur.

A serious abdominal injury is also a potential cause of a bowel perforation. Victims of car accidents often suffer a tremendous amount of force to their abdomen from seat belts. It is imperative that doctors evaluate such abdominal trauma to rule out a bowel perforation. If a bowel perforation is identified urgent surgical care is often required.

An undetected perforated bowel will quickly lead to an infection. An infection that spreads to the blood is known as sepsis. Sepsis can quickly lead to multiple organs failing and death. The perforation and associated sepsis may lead to peritonitis.

Peritonitis is the inflammation of the peritoneum. The peritoneum is the lining of the abdominal cavity. Peritonitis can lead to secondary peritonitis which is the inflammation and breakdown of the intestines and other abdominal organs. Once this process has begun the damage can quickly escalate.

The signs and symptoms of a bowel perforation include:

• Abdominal pain
• Nausea and vomiting
• Constipation or obstipation, a severe form of constipation
• Fever
• Patients lying still with knees flexed
• Decreased bowel sounds
• Abdominal tenderness
• Distended abdomen
• Rigid abdomen

A patient with a suspected bowel perforation should be transferred urgently to an emergency department. Blood tests, abdominal ultrasounds and CT scans can be used to confirm the diagnosis.

A patient with a bowel perforation may require surgical intervention, antibiotic medications, medication to increase blood pressure and the administration of fluids and electrolytes. A surgical error and/or a failure to timely diagnose a perforated bowel can lead to death, organ failure, organ damage and other serious life altering injuries. If death occurs within 24 hours of surgery to correct a bowel perforation the most common cause is sepsis. If you or a loved one sustained a bowel injury during surgery that resulted in serious injuries or death please contact the medical malpractice lawyers at Patterson Law for a free consultation.