Having a surgical operation or other invasive procedure that is in or around your stomach, large bowel, or small intestine can lead to a bowel perforation, which is a serious medical condition. A perforated bowel can cause patients severe pain and should be repaired surgically immediately.

When you go to a surgeon for a procedure, the last thing you expect is for them to make your situation worse. While we recognize that most bowel perforations that occur are not caused by medical professionals, there are times when they do make mistakes.

If you or a loved one have suffered and need a Drexel Hill bowel perforation or ruptured bowel attorney, turn to The Weitz Firm, LLC for help.

What Can Go Wrong?

There are complications during any surgery or invasive procedure. Surgeons, doctors, and nurses all work to make sure the patient knows about them ahead of time so they can make informed decisions. They also do their best to make sure nothing goes wrong.

The GI tract is an important system. It runs from one end of our bodies to the other and ensures that we get the nutrients we need from the foods we eat. It is a closed system, and if opened to the rest of the body, it can cause problems.

If a surgeon accidentally hits the small or large intestine during an operation, or if the colon is ruptured during a procedure such as a colonoscopy, the results could be disastrous. The following can spill into the body through a perforation or ruptured bowel: bacteria, bile, stomach acid, partially digested food, feces.

If these enter the body, the chance of a full body infection, known as sepsis, developing is high if the mistake is not repaired immediately.

Doctors and nurses should be vigilant for signs and symptoms of ruptured or perforated bowel after any surgery. If they notice signs like the following after a procedure, they need to act quickly: fever, quick heartbeat, chills, nausea, vomiting, severe stomach pain.

If these develop, medical professionals should perform X-rays, CT scans, and blood work. A failure to perform these tests can lead to a misdiagnosis, something that will likely be deadly when dealing with a perforated bowel.

The worst-case scenario is death, but even those who do not die due to a perforated bowel can have long-term complications. It can lead to patients needing more surgery, longer recovery times, and even permanent disability. Some patients will need a colostomy bag in the aftermath.

What You Can Do Now

We know that you never thought you would be harmed by a medical professional during surgery or another procedure, but you need to know what steps to take now. A bowel perforation is something that is a risk in many procedures. If it happens and medical staff does not realize it, or if they caused the perforation, they are putting a life at risk. If this has happened to you, The Weitz Firm, LLC is ready to work to secure the compensation you deserve. Count on us when you need a Drexel Hill medical malpractice lawyer. You can contact us for a free consultation by clicking here or calling 267-587-6240.

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