Sepsis is caused by many things, such as pneumonia, influenza, kidney infections, urinary tract infections, and other conditions. The chances of sepsis are increased in those who are over the age of 65, those who have weakened immune systems, and those who have drug-resistant bacteria (typically seen in patients who were prescribed antibiotics over and over again). Many sepsis cases we see, however, are those where a patient undergoes abdominal surgery and the bowel is perforated, but goes unnoticed by the surgeon. Fecal matter then spills out into the abdomen causing peritonitis which leads to sepsis.

While bowel perforation may be an inherent risk of surgery, physicians must be looking for signs of sepsis, particularly when bowel perforation is a known risk of the surgery performed.  Early recognition and treatment of a bowel perforation and sepsis is critical to a patient’s recovery.  Oftentimes earlier recognition and treatment in patients with sepsis avoids most, if not all long term complications. 

Symptoms

Often, patients will not know they have a perforated bowel until symptoms are sever. Early signs of sepsis are:

• Body temperature above 101 F (38.3 C) or below 96.8 F (36 C)
• Chills
• Heart rate higher than 90 beats a minute
• Respiratory rate higher than 20 breaths a minute
• Abdominal pain
• Nausea
• Vomiting

The following symptoms appear once Sepsis progresses into a severe stage:

• Significantly decreased urine output
• Abrupt change in mental status
• Decrease in platelet count
• Difficulty breathing
• Abnormal heart pumping function
• Abdominal pain
• Drop in blood pressure

Diagnosing and Repairing a Bowel Perforation

The major risk associated with a bowel perforation or enterotomy is the active leakage of bowel contents into the patient’s abdominal cavity.  This actual perforation and leakage can be discovered on abdominal imaging such as a CT scan.  Once discovered, surgeons should act quickly to repair the tear or perforation and clean out the bowel contents from the patient’s abdomen.  

Because the longer a perforation goes undiagnosed, the higher the risk of the patient going into septic shock, it is critical that an enterotomy be timely identified.  Physicians should be watching for signs of sepsis and order CT imaging to confirm the presence of a perforation. 

Long-Term Effects of Sepsis

While those who suffer from mild sepsis and are treated quickly will most likely recover fully and go on to live a healthy life, others are not so fortunate. Those who have suffered severe sepsis or septic shock, and lived, they typically go on to have long-term effects. These effects all together are referred to as “post-sepsis syndrome” and include:

• Insomnia, difficulty getting to or staying asleep
• Nightmares, vivid hallucinations, panic attacks
• Disabling muscle and joint pains
• Decreased mental (cognitive) functioning
• Loss of self-esteem and self-belief
• Organ dysfunction (kidney failure, respiratory problems, etc.)
• Amputations (loss of limb(s))
• Generalized weakness

How an Attorney Can Help You

Given the severity of injuries caused by sepsis and potential long-term effects, it is important to contact an attorney quickly if you or a loved one has suffered from sepsis caused by a perforated bowel. The attorneys at Younker Hyde Macfarlane will assist you in evaluating and prosecuting all valid claims you may have.

Contact the Medical Malpractice Team at Younker Hyde Macfarlane

For more information about your legal options related to sepsis caused by perforated bowel, please contact our team of medical malpractice attorneys today. The legal team at Younker Hyde Macfarlane will fight diligently for you and your legal needs.