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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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How To Deal With Perforated Bowel?

My mother was diagnosed today with a perforated bowel. She has had puss draining from her belly button for about 6 wks. She was originally diagnosed with an umbilical syst. Surgery has been scheduled for Monday. Should we be concerned that surgery is another 4 days? I am concerned about peritonitis?
Wed, 29 Jun 2016
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Internal Medicine Specialist 's  Response
Brief Answer:
The surgical intervention is the only way to fix this problem definitively, and it should be done as soon as possible. Meanwhile, your mother should be under medical monitoring.

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thank you for using HCM. I understand your concern.
Your mother may have developed an umbilical hernia (the intestine or other tissues bulge through this weak spot around the belly button, umbilicus), which has become infected over time. The infection has perforated the walls of the intestine, making possible the feces and pus, to come out from the navel.
In these conditions the surgical reparation is inevitable and is the only way to fix this problem definitively. The abdominal wall defect should be repaired and should be reset the normal passage of the feces through the intestine. This should be done as soon as possible. However, being in such a condition for 6-weeks, 4 more days don't make any difference. Meanwhile she has to be under iv antibiotics and fluids. As the infection may disperse (as you say, may cause peritonitis), and may affect all her general health, it would be better that these 4 days she would be hospitalized and under strict medical monitoring.


Hope this is helpful.
Let me know if you need more clarifications. Otherwise please close and rate the answer.
Kind Regards,
Dr. Juarda
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How To Deal With Perforated Bowel?

Brief Answer: The surgical intervention is the only way to fix this problem definitively, and it should be done as soon as possible. Meanwhile, your mother should be under medical monitoring. Detailed Answer: Hello, Thank you for using HCM. I understand your concern. Your mother may have developed an umbilical hernia (the intestine or other tissues bulge through this weak spot around the belly button, umbilicus), which has become infected over time. The infection has perforated the walls of the intestine, making possible the feces and pus, to come out from the navel. In these conditions the surgical reparation is inevitable and is the only way to fix this problem definitively. The abdominal wall defect should be repaired and should be reset the normal passage of the feces through the intestine. This should be done as soon as possible. However, being in such a condition for 6-weeks, 4 more days don t make any difference. Meanwhile she has to be under iv antibiotics and fluids. As the infection may disperse (as you say, may cause peritonitis), and may affect all her general health, it would be better that these 4 days she would be hospitalized and under strict medical monitoring. Hope this is helpful. Let me know if you need more clarifications. Otherwise please close and rate the answer. Kind Regards, Dr. Juarda