Perforated Colon Death
If the colon is perforated during surgery, it must be recognised and repaired before the end of the operation. Otherwise food and waste products will spill into the abdominal cavity, making a patient critically unwell.
Perforated colons and medical negligence
The colon is also known as the large intestine. It can be vulnerable during certain surgical procedures, such as aorto-bifemoral bypasses.
If a patient is due to have an operation in which the colon is at risk of injury, he/she must be fully informed of this risk before signing the consent form. Should medical professionals fail to do so, the consent process will have fallen below a reasonable standard.
However, if a patient is informed before signing the consent form and the colon is injured during the course of the procedure, there will not be a case of medical negligence – just so long as the surgeon recognises the damage and performs a competent repair before the end of the operation.
Therefore while a damaged colon will not necessarily amount to medical negligence, a failure to diagnose and repair the injury does amount to medical negligence. If this has happened to you or your loved one, you need to speak to a solicitor about your options.
Claiming for a perforated colon
A perforated colon is very serious. This is because food and waste products will leak into the abdominal cavity, causing a severe infection of the lining of the abdomen. This is called peritonitis, and can lead to septic shock and organ failure.
In some cases it can also restrict the blood supply to the legs, resulting in lower limb ischaemia. If the blood flow is not restored in time, a patient may require an amputation of the limb. However, carrying out an operation while a patient is critically unwell is very dangerous and not all patients will survive the procedure.
If you or your loved one has suffered complications such as those described above, and you believe medical negligence is to blame, you could be entitled to pursue a claim for compensation. This will enable you to take legal action against the hospital at fault, and if successful will ensure you receive the appropriate sum of financial redress for the damages you have incurred. This includes your pain, suffering and financial losses.
Contact a solicitor
To find out more about claiming for a perforated colon, contact a solicitor today.
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