Bowel surgery compensation claims
Bowel surgery may be necessary if you suffer from a condition such as bowel cancer, diverticular disease, large polyps (fleshy growths) or Inflammatory Bowel Disease (e.g. Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis).
The procedure undertaken depends on the condition and how much of the bowel is affected.
Types of bowel surgery include:
- total colectomy - removal of colon and rectum (back passage)
- hemicolectomy - removal of either the left (descending) or right (ascending) side of the colon
- sigmoid colectomy - removal of the part of the colon closest to the rectum and anus
- transverse colectomy - removal of the part of the colon that joins the left and right sides (the transverse colon)
Possible complications
Complications of bowel surgery can include:
- Infection of the wound
The wound can become swollen, red and tender to touch. You may need antibiotics, or the infected fluid may need to be released from the wound - Bands of scar tissue (adhesions)
Adhesions may develop after surgery and cause tissues or organs to stick together. There may be related abdominal pain - Failure or leaking of the new join in the bowel (anastomatic leak)
This can cause pain in the abdomen. If an abscess forms, draining of the abscess, antibiotics or another operation to repair the leak may be necessary - Nerve damage
If nerves are damaged during surgery, this can lead to loss of sensation which could impact on your sex life or bladder function - Swelling or a hernia in the line of the wound (incisional hernia)
This involves a part of the bowel protruding through an opening in the abdominal wall, forming a bulge under the skin. Another operation may be necessary to repair the hernia or you may need to wear a support corset - Paralysis of your bowel (ileus)
This can occur as a result of illness but also following surgery. The usual contraction of the bowel (peristalsis) used to transport bowel contents stops. This can cause symptoms such as bloating, vomiting and problems with bowel movements. Treatment can include putting a tube in the stomach to keep it empty and providing fluids through a drip until the bowel has recovered
In many of these situations time is of the essence to prevent or minimise sepsis, which can be life threatening.
How we can help
If a medical professional has failed to exercise due care during the bowel surgery and complications result, you may have a claim against them.
Bowel surgery claims
For free, expert advice on making a compensation claim, click here or call us free on 0800 0382 382. We are available to take your call twenty four hours a day, seven days a week.
If you want to provide some details to us in advance, why not let us assess your claim now.
