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Would Laxatives Help To Relieve Bloating?

Posted on Fri, 14 Apr 2023

Question: Hi

I just had a prostatectomy for prostate cancer - they also removed the pelvic lymph nodes.

I have about 100 ml of fluid coming out of a drain in my side every 1.5 - 2 hrs.

They tested for creatine (sp?) to see if urine was leaking around the catheter - test was negative. Fluid was reddish but is now a pale yellow pink.

I feel very bloated - I pass small amounts of gas but have not have a bowel movement since Wed morning before the operation.

Do I need to be concerned and what should I do to relieve bloating. I took a laxitive in the morning at the hospital ( I am now home) and also had some prune juice.

thank you

XXXXXXX

Answered by Dr. Dr. P. T. Patil (5 hours later)

Brief Answer:
It is natural not to have proper bowel movements after major pelvic surgery.

Detailed Answer:

Hello,

Based on the facts that you have posted you had undergone Radical Prostatectomy for Cancer of the prostate and since then had no proper bowel movements and had a discharge from the site of drainage tube.

As regards reduced bowel movements it is natural for bowel movements to get reduced after any major pelvis surgery and it takes a week to 10 days to resume to normal bowel activities and normal bowel movements.

As regards drainage of 150 ml every few hours it is a lymphatic fluid and it takes a week or two get it resolved completely.

In the mean while take antibiotics and have soft diet till you get normal bowel movements.

There is nothing to be worried about. It is a matter of time.

Hope I have answered your query. Please feel free to ask if you have more questions, I shall be happy to help you.

Regards,
Dr. P. T. Patil
Urologist

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr. P. T. Patil (55 minutes later)

Thank you regarding the bowel movements.

I notice what look like lymph nodes in the drainage. Is this something to be worried about if they were cancerous they were cut off and left in the pelvic cavity which might spread the cancer.

Do I need to be very cautious with this fluid so that others such as my grown sons to not come in contact with it.

thanks again
XXXXXXX

Answered by Dr. Dr. P. T. Patil (3 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Do not worry. It is not contagious.

Detailed Answer:

Hello,

The Lymphatic fluid that is draining is a fluid from lymphatic circulation of lymph vessels that have been opened up during surgery and it usually stops of its own within a period of 2-3 weeks as these opened vessels get sealed off naturally.

There is no risk involved to your near ones arising from this fluid.

Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.

Thank you.

Regards,
Dr. P. T. Patil
Urologist

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr. P. T. Patil (20 minutes later)

Thank you for advice

Is it unusual or worrysome to see what appear to be lymph nodes in the fluid? They are nodules from about 2 mm to 4 mm (approx) whitish in colour with redder attached longer narrower attached tissue.

thanks XXXXXXX

Answered by Dr. Dr. P. T. Patil (13 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Lymph is a milky secretion.

Detailed Answer:

Hello,

Lymph is a milky interstitial fluid and the precipitated lymph fluid looks like small particles.

Do not worry, it is bound to get resolved.

Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.

Thank you.

Regards,
Dr. P. T. Patil
Urologist

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr. P. T. Patil (1 hour later)

HI Dr XXXXXXX

I have uploaded 2 pictures of the largest one. It has been in the bulb for about 7 hours; the central part looked rounder and firmer at first.

Is this a lymph node and is that worrisome?
Also I can not get the object out of the bulb and am worried it will begin to rot.

What do you think?

This is a rubber drainage bulb attached to a tube going into my abdomen. In these pictures the bulb is squashed so that it will provide suction to extract the fluid. The object is around the edge of the bulb which does not get squashed I will upload a picture of the entire bulb.

Thanks
XXXXXXX

Answered by Dr. Dr. P. T. Patil (10 hours later)

Brief Answer:
It is a bunch of necrotic tissue from the site of surgery.

Detailed Answer:

Hello,

Thanks for follow up and uploading clear photograph of Vacuum Suction Drainage Device.

The white particles that are seen are part of necrotic tissue shade off from the site of surgery and that is part of normal healing process.

Do not worry, it will stop as the healing will progress. Hope I have answered your query.

Regards,
Dr. P. T. Patil
Urologist

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar