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Gastrointestinal perforation - Treatment

Alternative Names

Intestinal perforation; Perforation of the intestines

Treatment:

Treatment usually involves surgery to repair the hole (perforation). Occasionally, a small part of the intestine must be removed. A temporary colostomy or ileostomy may be needed.

In rare cases, antibiotics alone can be used to treat patients whose perforations have closed. This can be confirmed by a physical exam, blood tests, CT scan, and x-rays.

Expectations (prognosis):

Surgery is usually successful, but depends on the severity of the perforation and the length of time to treatment.

Complications:

Complications include:

Bleeding
Infection (possible, sepsis)
Intra-abdominal abscess

Calling your health care provider:

Call your doctor if you have severe abdominal pain, fever, nausea, vomiting, blood in your stool, or changes in bowel habits.

Digestive system

Digestive system organs

Reviewed last on: 7/23/2008
Jacob L. Heller, MD, Emergency Medicine, Virginia Mason Medical Center, Seattle, Washington, Clinic. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

References

Turnage RH, Richardson KA, Li BD, McDonald JC. Abdominal wall, umbilicus, peritoneum, mesenteries, omentum, and retroperitoneum. In: Townsend CM, Beauchamp RD, Evers BM, Mattox KL, eds. Sabiston Textbook of Surgery. 18th ed. St. Louis, Mo: WB Saunders; 2008:chap 43.

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