HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

Suggest Treatment For Smelly Gas Coming From Drainage Tube Of Intestine After Resection

Posted on Fri, 20 Jun 2014

Question: Hi, My sister in law (24 years old) in Bolivia went through an emergency bowel resection about 5 days ago. It appears that typhoid was the cause. Her large intestine twisted and 2 feet had to be removed. The concern now is that there appears to be some smelly gas coming out of the drainage tube a few times per day. She was told that its possible some of the internal stitches broke and she may have an abscess. They want to wait a few more days to see if it gets better or worse because they said it would expose her to a lot of radiation for the test to check. The medical care in Bolivia is questionable at best and although we are considering trying to move her to a hospital in Colombia as an option, I need to know if this sounds like its an urgent situation or can wait a few days, as they seem comfortable waiting. Any input would be greatly appreciated.

Answered by Dr. Abhijit Deshmukh (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Hello

Detailed Answer:

Hi,
Thank you for the query.
Looks like her joint of intestine has given away.
It is important to see how she is clinically, if there is no fever, pain, vomiting.
Her blood pressure and other parameters are stable can wait.
But if any of there are abnormal can get a CT scan of abdomen done and then take it from there. If it shows a leak or large abscess worthwhile to consider re operating.
Till that time she needs to be covered with appropriate antibiotic too.
I guess repeating an CT scan should not be a problem.
Need not worry for the radiation now as her condition needs early evaluation. Hope this answers your query.
Wish her a speedy recovery.
Happy to help.

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

Follow up: Dr. Abhijit Deshmukh (12 minutes later)

Thank you for your reply. To be clear, if there are not additional symptoms (fever, pain, etc) and her BP and parameters remain stable, is it unlikely she will need another surgery?

Also can this be clearly determined by a CT scan? Would you recommend an immediate CT scan then to verify?

Thank you so much for your help.

Regards,
XXXXXXX

Answered by Dr. Abhijit Deshmukh (6 hours later)

Brief Answer:
HI

Detailed Answer:

Hello
Thank you for the query.
CT scan should be done if she is not stable and if any of the above mentioned symptoms develop.
It will help to see if there is any leak in the intestine too.
However some points may just favour presence of leak and directly it may not be seen on CT scan. However if CT scan is normal surgery can wait.
Hope this answers your query.
Best wishes.

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

Follow up: Dr. Abhijit Deshmukh (2 days later)

Hi,

Thank you again. I was told they may do a CT scan tomorrow to try and see.

For now, they put a drainage bag from one of the drains to collect the liquid coming it. I saw picture of it and it is yellow liquid and some blood. They said they need to collect it for 24 hours and then check the quantity and analyze it first?

Also, she just started getting really bad nosebleeds. She is about 8 days post-op, is this normal?

Regards,
XXXXXXX

Answered by Dr. Abhijit Deshmukh (33 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Hi

Detailed Answer:

Thank you for the query.
Well worthwhile getting a CT scan.
Dark yellow fluid could be bile or even pus worthwhile getting it tested for same.
Nose bleed possibly is due to the nasal tube that she may be having which can cause trauma inside. But usually it is not to worry.
Also worthwhile getting her prothrombin time and partial thromboplastin time to look for any blood clotting problem.
Wish her a speedy recovery.

Note: For further follow up on digestive issues share your reports here and Click here.

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