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Suggest Treatment For Early-stage Upper Rectal Cancer, Fever, Diarrhea And Weight Loss
Question: Background:
My grandfather recently discovered he had early-stage upper rectal cancer. He went through surgery and had it removed. After tissue examination, the surgeon says the surgery was successful and they were able to remove the early-stage cancer. They stitched the intestine wound back up. However, he has had a fever (38-39 Celsius), diarrhea, and weight loss after surgery. The doctor later found out the stitch was not done correctly and there was an opening in the stitched wound. They did a second surgery where they inserted a tube to bypass the wound. Now, feces will travel through the tube and into a bag outside the body. They did not do anything else and told my grandfather that the wound opening might heal by itself. They told us that they will remove the bag and tube after the wound is healed.
Question: Is it correct to leave the improperly stitched wound to heal by itself? Is there anything else they could do ensure proper healing? Could they reopen the wound and stitch it properly? I would really be grateful for any suggestions.
My grandfather recently discovered he had early-stage upper rectal cancer. He went through surgery and had it removed. After tissue examination, the surgeon says the surgery was successful and they were able to remove the early-stage cancer. They stitched the intestine wound back up. However, he has had a fever (38-39 Celsius), diarrhea, and weight loss after surgery. The doctor later found out the stitch was not done correctly and there was an opening in the stitched wound. They did a second surgery where they inserted a tube to bypass the wound. Now, feces will travel through the tube and into a bag outside the body. They did not do anything else and told my grandfather that the wound opening might heal by itself. They told us that they will remove the bag and tube after the wound is healed.
Question: Is it correct to leave the improperly stitched wound to heal by itself? Is there anything else they could do ensure proper healing? Could they reopen the wound and stitch it properly? I would really be grateful for any suggestions.
Brief Answer:
As detailed.
Detailed Answer:
Hi.
Thanks for your query and an elucidate history, very self explaining.
Read and understood the whole history about your Grandfather.
I would like to give the answers and give explanation at the same time:
Question:
Is it correct to leave the improperly stitched wound to heal by itself?
> It is absolutely correct to leave the wound with the drainage tube as has been done in this case and to let it heal on its own.
Is there anything else they could do ensure proper healing?
> Yes, there are many things, if done properly will hasten the progress for early healing.
Could they reopen the wound and stitch it properly?
> This is never done as the the tissues become so fragile that they can not hold the stitches, it will just cut through. This is never successful.
I would really be grateful for any suggestions.
> My suggestions:
- First of a,,l to correct the anemia and hypoproteinemia. Maintaining the normal hemoglobin and serum proteins, particularly the albumin is very important as this helps the early and proper healing.
- Control of infection: by courses of an antibiotic, metronidazole whenever necessary.
- Good hydration is also very important.
- Care of the wounds of the skin to avoid excoriation.
- Addition of pre and probiotic, multivitamins with lycopene helps in good healing.
The thumb rule in surgery is: If the distal passage is open, the proximal fistulas will always heal.
Take proper care and precautions as explained the there will be good healing.
I hope this answers your queries, please feel free to ask further relevant queries if you need to or if you feel that there is a gap-of-communication.
As detailed.
Detailed Answer:
Hi.
Thanks for your query and an elucidate history, very self explaining.
Read and understood the whole history about your Grandfather.
I would like to give the answers and give explanation at the same time:
Question:
Is it correct to leave the improperly stitched wound to heal by itself?
> It is absolutely correct to leave the wound with the drainage tube as has been done in this case and to let it heal on its own.
Is there anything else they could do ensure proper healing?
> Yes, there are many things, if done properly will hasten the progress for early healing.
Could they reopen the wound and stitch it properly?
> This is never done as the the tissues become so fragile that they can not hold the stitches, it will just cut through. This is never successful.
I would really be grateful for any suggestions.
> My suggestions:
- First of a,,l to correct the anemia and hypoproteinemia. Maintaining the normal hemoglobin and serum proteins, particularly the albumin is very important as this helps the early and proper healing.
- Control of infection: by courses of an antibiotic, metronidazole whenever necessary.
- Good hydration is also very important.
- Care of the wounds of the skin to avoid excoriation.
- Addition of pre and probiotic, multivitamins with lycopene helps in good healing.
The thumb rule in surgery is: If the distal passage is open, the proximal fistulas will always heal.
Take proper care and precautions as explained the there will be good healing.
I hope this answers your queries, please feel free to ask further relevant queries if you need to or if you feel that there is a gap-of-communication.
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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