Perforated bowel requires surgery?

[Nomis1234]

Hi.

I have been an in patient in hospital for just under a week, as I have been experiencing a flare and flu like symptoms.

After a CT scan it was discovered that I have a perforation in my bowel.

Since I have been on a lot of IV antibiotics. I have also been fasting on and off because they can't seem to decide if I should get surgery or not.

From what I have read online, it seems rare that surgery wouldn't be required so I am slightly concerned that they would consider letting me leave without receiving surgery and the risks attached to that.

Has anyone else had an experience similair to this? Does this sound normal?

 

[JaimeM]

I have microperforation right now and they're treating it with antibiotics. I'm doing well. Not great. Not terrible. I've had to take it really easy.

 

[DustyKat]

You will find that the term perforation covers a wide range of severity, part of the key here is whether it is a perforation or a micro perforation.

Some folk with Crohn’s may go on to develop a micro perforation when flaring but it depends on what happens after that that will normally determine if surgery is required or not.

A micro perforation on its own would not normally lead to surgery and should respond well to therapy. However if the perforation leads to further complications such as the development of fistulae and/or abscess then it becomes more complicated. All that said, in cases of micro perforation surgery only becomes the preferred option when other treatment options have failed.

Once a perforation is above the level of being micro you would likely find that surgery would be the first option as symptoms would tend to be more severe and life threatening…pain and sepsis.

My daughter had a perforated bowel (think more along the lines of ruptured here) that required emergency surgery straight up. My son had a micro perforation with the complications of fistulae and abscesses. They tried for some time to heal things up with medication but to no avail and he ended up having surgery about 3 months later.

Easy to say not to worry I know but it sounds like you have a micro perforation and so you have time on your side. I hope you do respond well to the antibiotics and all heals up nicely. Good luck! :ghug:

 

[JaimeM]

thanks for the clarification for me too dustykat.. I'm new to the complication side of Crohn's.

 

[Lesleytlc]

You will know the difference. My bowel leaked into my body and I was in excruitating pain. Vomiting, fever, very ill. I had 2 parts removed. It's not nice. Hope you are feeling better soon .