schoolpal died in hernia op...colostomy bag for intestines..?

[joko]

an old school pal died yesterday because a routine hernia op had complications, and she developed a virus that attacked all her organs.

what virus could do this?

bacterial and they will give antibiotics, but what can they do about a virus?

i've also been told that during the op, they had to remove her bowels and intestines and put them in a colostomy bag for the duration before putting them back inside...

is this normal? sounds a bit odd to me...

i was not close to her, hadnt seen her in 20 years, just back in touch on facebook...btu she was only 38 and its sad news

cheers

[Sqad]

The virus theory doesnt ring true.

Bacterial theory...depends how long after the operation she developed symptoms and died.

Keeping the bowels warm, whilst outside the body in a plastic bag, whilst reparative work is done is a normal procedure.

This sounds like a toxic shock syndrome secondary to a septicaemia following inadvertent puncture of the intestine..............just a suspicion.

The post mortem findings will be interesting..........let me know if you get to know them

[joko]

cheers sqad...yes i was miffed by the virus thing...though this was just related to me by another old friend...so possibly shes just using the word to mean infection, not realising the difference...as i can see a bacterial infection happening, but a virus?

unless she already had the virus and the op made it hard for her to fight off...

they said it went to her heart and her organs failed one by one...

i asked about mrsa but no mention had been made of that..the bowel puncture sounds most likely an that was my first thought...though surely they would have told them...?

my other pal is not especially close to her either so maybe just hasnt heard the full story yet...

it was 3 days from op to death...they kept her alive for a while too so the family could say their goodbyes...

[jaydah]

sounds like C Diff. Sorry for your loss joko.

http://hcd2.bupa.co.u...ficile_infection.html

[Sqad]

joko

<<<i've also been told that during the op, they had to remove her bowels and intestines and put them in a colostomy bag for the duration before putting them back inside...>>>

That paragraph is the key to the whole case.

Why?

[joko]

cheers...i suppose she could have already had some infection like c.diff before she even had the op...and the op helped it spread...

i dont know why sqad...thats what i mean, sounds odd even to me...why would they need to take them out for a hernia?
i thought hernia ops were fairly simple...? putting it back in place and securing and repairing the tissues...? is that right?
plus arent they behind the hernia?...so not exactly in the way...or just making space to work?


i have no medical knowledge by the way - perhaps somewhat better than the average person i'd say, but no real expertise

[Sqad]

joko....I dont buy the infection story

During a routine hernia operation, they would only exteriorize and place in a plastic bag, to deal with an unexpected complication...e.g puncture of a viscus.

The post mortem findings and operation notes are critical.

[anneasquith]

joko. very sad news, where was the hernia, ie what type of hernia.?

[joko]

not sure really, im just assuming it was in her tummy

[anneasquith]

but as far as you know it was not an emergency operation ?

[Dris]

Terribly sad -feel for those who knew her and her family :(

Not that im medically qualifies but I have to concur with sqads theory -a friend of mine had her appendix removed and she died..She didnt develop peritonitis as you would assume -her bowel was punctured during the op and she developed septicaemia and one by one her organs shut down.Wasnt until it was too late that the blunder was noticed.

[joko]

no apparently it was just supposed to be a minor opp.

you would think they would come up with some sort of shield or way to block the bowel/intestines from the 'work area', to prevent puncture...it just seems so stupid for that to happen.