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Abdominal Surgery Medical Negligence
Thousands of clinical compensation claims are initiated every year in the United Kingdom by medical negligence solicitors on behalf of people from all walks of life. A multitude of operations and procedures are executed successfully however a small percentage do go wrong, laying the grounds for medical negligence solicitors to take legal action in order to claim compensation. Both legal aid and the no win no fee scheme are available to pursue medical negligence compensation claims.
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Medical Negligence Compensation Claim Solicitors Helpline 0844 332 0095
Abdominal surgery is done to remove bowel, do bariatric surgery, do surgery for GERD (acid reflux), do cancer surgery or to remove an abdominal organ, such as a spleen. Abdominal surgery can be done urgently, such as with a perforated bowel or trauma. It can be done electively, such as with hernia surgery. All types of abdominal surgery are carried out with the highest degree of protectiveness of the abdominal organs. In some cases, however, strict protocols aren't followed and complications arise. It is important to pay attention to what complications can occur from abdominal surgery so you can talk to your surgeon about them before the surgery.
Infections of the chest can happen when pain causes poor expansion of the lungs. It can also happen if a person's immune system is poor, if they are a smoker or if there was a preexisting lung condition. Most of the time, antibiotics take care of the infection and the individual recovers.
A more serious infection is peritonitis or infection of the lining of the abdominal contents. This can result from a puncture or rupture of one of the hollow organs of the abdominal cavity-from the esophagus to the rectal area. Infection and inflammation of the peritoneum can be life threatening and can necessitate further surgeries. Antibiotics are also a necessary aspect of the recovery from peritonitis.
There can be wound infections if bacteria get into the wound from the outside or inside of the abdomen. Sometimes antibiotics are used around the time of surgery to prevent wound infections. In most cases, this makes all the difference but, depending on the organism in the wound, there might be unresolved infection. Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus or MRSA is an example of a wound infection that is not easily treated with the usual antibiotics. MRSA is common in hospitals.
Certain kinds of blood clots can complicate abdominal infections. If the person does not get up and around shortly after surgery or has a clotting problem, there can be a blood clot forming in the deep veins of the leg in a condition known as "deep vein thrombosis". A deep vein thrombosis can travel to the lungs and can cause a fatal pulmonary embolism. A pulmonary embolism can occur without warning and can interfere with blood flow to the lungs. Doctors can give small injections of Heparin in order to prevent the occurrence of blood clots.
Other types of infections can occur, such as infections due to bladder catheters, IV catheters or drains put in the wound. If infections occur in these places, the catheters are usually removed and antibiotics are given to control the infection.
Excessive bleeding can be a serious complication of abdominal surgery. If the doctor nicks a large vessel or fails to control the bleeding before closing the abdomen, blood can build up and can result in anemia, low blood pressure and increased pain from displacement of organs with blood and inflammation in the abdomen. Blood transfusions are sometimes used to replace the lost blood. If the bleeding seems not to be stopping, the doctor may have to do another abdominal surgery to locate the source of the bleeding and control it. Doctors sometimes put in draining tubes attached to suction devices to record the amount and quality of the bleeding so they can know if a repeat surgery is necessary.
Ileus or temporary paralysis of the intestinal smooth muscle is common, especially if the bowel has been manipulated to a great degree. This means that food cannot pass through the intestines and the patient cannot eat. Eating usually leads to discomfort or vomiting and is avoided by withholding food from the patient until bowel sounds are easily heard. It can take several days for an ileus to resolve itself. IV feeding is done in the meantime.
Obstruction of the intestines can occur when scar tissue or adhesions develop after bowel surgery. The adhesions can twist or kink part of the bowel so that no liquid or solid can pass through it. This can lead to ileus or to persistent vomiting, abdominal distension and abdominal pain. It usually resolves on its own but sometimes a repeat surgery is necessary.