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Suggest Treatment For Pain In The Abdomen After Surgery
Question: I had open chest aorta surgery in XXXXXXX 2016 and I have a large incision from my groin all the way up the center of my chest a half way around my back. I have had pain in my stomach area since the surgery along with this area being ballooned out like a basketball on my left side and have lots of gas that I never had before. It hurts constantly to where I have to stay on pain medication. I have been told that I have muscle and nerve damage that is causing this. The skin in this area is numb but the pain is internal. It has been like this ever since I woke up from the surgery. I am have begun to think that I could have some form of a hernia or partial blockage. Sometimes I am constipated and other times I have loose stools. Which none of this is normal for me. I was regular with my stools before this surgery. Can you please help me and advise me what to do.
Brief Answer:
As discussed in details below.
Detailed Answer:
Hi.
Thanks for your query.
To recapitulate: Female/62 - Open aorta Surgery in XXXXXXX 2016 - incision as explained - ballooning left side - pain - gas since surgery - on pain meds - muscle and nerve damage - skin is numb - but pain is internal - alternating constipation and loose stools - wants help and advise...
As per the history you have provided the problem looks to be as follows:
- Extensive surgery does cause nerve an muscle damage as can not be saves if the exposure needed is large in such cases as aorta repairs.
- Nerves if not regenerated will cause sensory and motor loss that is muscles become inactive hence thin out and loose strength hence the ballooning.
- Another reason of ballooning can be hernia formation secondary to lax muscle or proptosis means there is no actual herniation but the whole muscle wall becomes lax.
- Intestinal problems can be due to obstruction, the causes being:
Actual kinking, adhesion, or narrowing.
Or if stuck in hernia, if present.
This causing alternating loose stools and constipation as you have explained.
I would advise you the following:
Plain X-ray of the whole abdomen and chest in standing position, particularly when there is pain, rumbling sounds and/or distension - bloating.
Contrast enhanced CT scan of the abdomen further clarifies and helps in clinical evaluation and actual examination by a General Surgeon gives correct diagnosis.
Additional tests of stool, blood, urine may give additional clues and hence the causes of all the symptoms that you have.
Please get these done asap so that a proper diagnosis can be done and further care be planned to give you as much relief as possible.
I hope this answer helps you, please feel free to ask for further relevant queries if you feel that there is a gap of communication.
As discussed in details below.
Detailed Answer:
Hi.
Thanks for your query.
To recapitulate: Female/62 - Open aorta Surgery in XXXXXXX 2016 - incision as explained - ballooning left side - pain - gas since surgery - on pain meds - muscle and nerve damage - skin is numb - but pain is internal - alternating constipation and loose stools - wants help and advise...
As per the history you have provided the problem looks to be as follows:
- Extensive surgery does cause nerve an muscle damage as can not be saves if the exposure needed is large in such cases as aorta repairs.
- Nerves if not regenerated will cause sensory and motor loss that is muscles become inactive hence thin out and loose strength hence the ballooning.
- Another reason of ballooning can be hernia formation secondary to lax muscle or proptosis means there is no actual herniation but the whole muscle wall becomes lax.
- Intestinal problems can be due to obstruction, the causes being:
Actual kinking, adhesion, or narrowing.
Or if stuck in hernia, if present.
This causing alternating loose stools and constipation as you have explained.
I would advise you the following:
Plain X-ray of the whole abdomen and chest in standing position, particularly when there is pain, rumbling sounds and/or distension - bloating.
Contrast enhanced CT scan of the abdomen further clarifies and helps in clinical evaluation and actual examination by a General Surgeon gives correct diagnosis.
Additional tests of stool, blood, urine may give additional clues and hence the causes of all the symptoms that you have.
Please get these done asap so that a proper diagnosis can be done and further care be planned to give you as much relief as possible.
I hope this answer helps you, please feel free to ask for further relevant queries if you feel that there is a gap of communication.
Note: Revert back with your health reports to get further guidance on your gastric problems. Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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