Compensation for Necrotising Fasciitis After Abdominal Surgery
Necrotising fasciitis is a debilitating, and potentially deadly, infection which often commences in the abdominal region. Patients undergoing abdominal surgery are at risk of this appalling outcome.
Necrotising fasciitis
The long-term consequences for a patient who has developed necrotising fasciitis following abdominal surgery can be very serious indeed. The infection itself is highly destructive, causing the death of all the deep soft tissue it infects. This can compromise the patient's fundamental life-support system and trigger a sepsis reaction.
Untreated, necrotising fasciitis is likely to bring about the death of the patient.
Unfortunately, treatment of necrotising fasciitis is, by its nature, also damaging to the body. The only way to prevent the spread of the infection is to remove all infected tissue and the further the spread of the pathogens, the more extreme the debridement needs to be to halt them.
It is clear, therefore, that the prevention, diagnosis and emergency treatment of this infection are essential to the patient's long-term well-being.
Prevention
If a patient who is about to undergo an abdominal procedure, such as gallbladder surgery, is deemed to be at risk of infection, it might be appropriate to administer antibiotics prior to surgery to reduce the risk of infection. A diabetic patient might come into this category, for example.
A failure to provide prophylactic antibiotics might allow the patient to succumb to this life-threatening infection and justify a claim for compensation for the long-term impact.
Diagnosis
Patients who have recently undergone abdominal surgery should warrant close attention if they begin to exhibit signs and symptoms which might indicate a necrotising infection. This might include a high temperature or chills and a rapid breathing rate alongside intense pain and redness in the region of their surgical incision. As their infection evolves, their skin might start to change colour due to tissue decay.
A prompt diagnosis is crucial in order to ensure that the patient undergoes emergency surgery.
Delayed treatment
A delay in the commencement of surgery for necrotising fasciitis can prove fatal. This shocking infection can spread through the body at an alarming rate and the longer treatment is delayed, the worse the outcome is likely to be for the patient.
Medical negligence
A failing or delay in the medical management of a patient with necrotising fasciitis may be regarded as substandard care.
If poor-quality medical care leaves the patient with life-changing disability, it may be appropriate to make a claim for compensation.
Contact Glynns Solicitors, specialists in medical negligence compensation claims, to talk to an experienced solicitor about your situation.
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