Does Colon Puncture Lead To Sepsis?

Posted on Thu, 22 Dec 2016

Question: I am 76 and was told by a gastro doctor I had IBS. After 7 years of problems I woke up one morning doubling over in pain. I called the ambulance and was passed out before I got to hospital. I had a ruptured colon. My blood pressure was 40/20. I was on 13 machines for 3 days of life support. Woke up to my children telling goodbye. I was in hospital 3 weeks. And then to rehab for 4 weeks. I had to learn how to walk again. It will be a year in January and I'm still tired. Did I have sepsis? My doctors didn't tell me anything.

XXXXX

Answered by Dr. Dr. Happykumar Kagathara (42 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Sepsis related muscle catabolism

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
I understand your concern and suffering of pain from this condition.
You had colon puncture in weak colon due to IBS. Yes you developed sepsis at that time for which you required such aggressive life support systems, but at that time did you underwent any surgery? If so then what was done?
Colon puncture produce severe sepsis and you managed it very well itself is victory over disease.
About your present condition, it might possible to have sepsis in body from this condition but it is not proper to say anything about this without proper investigation. Due to sepsis effect and prolong recovery+rehab and older age, your body muscles do wasting (catabolism) due to which you lose weight, feel severe weakness, tiredness.
Presently rehab is very important for you in addition to proper diet supplement which can reduce catabolic effect on muscle and thus help to regain muscle strength. This is common phenomena after major surgery + long duration bed-ridden condition.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Nagamani Ng

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Happykumar Kagathara (10 hours later)

My surgeon had attached the colon to left side of body. The next day she did emergency surgery and moved my colon to the right side of body and i have a bag. I was so out of it I don't remember much. I still have a Lot of spasms in my body.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Happykumar Kagathara (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
less likely to have persistent infection inside abdomen

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
I apologize for late reply
She might have done diversion ileostomy.
With ileostomy, there is less chance of repeat infection inside abdomen due to spillage of intestinal content due to drainage of intestinal content outside the body through ileostomy.
Thus cramps might be due to electrolytes imbalance secondary to poor nutrition and prolonged bed-ridden state.
With ileostomy there is less possibility of having persistent infection inside abdomen.

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad