Gut-wrenching consequences of negligence

A gastroenterologist specialises in diseases and disorders of the gastro-intestinal tract (the gut or bowel) and deals with illnesses such as Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, coeliac disease, oesophageal varices, malabsorption syndromes, gastric and duodenal ulcers as well as cancers of the gastrointestinal tract (stomach and bowel cancer). Other areas of expertise include diseases of the liver such as hepatitis and liver failure.

A medical negligence claim against a gastroenterologist could arise where, for example, the specialist fails to diagnose or treat a digestive disease correctly. Bowel injury, too, may be a risk or complication of having abdominal surgery.

Sometimes, however, it may be caused due to negligence either during or after an operation. Sometimes the bowel can be damaged during surgery as a result of poor surgical technique, or there may be a delay in diagnosing that the bowel has been damaged in the post-operative period.

It is important that anyone who is caring for a patient who has had surgery that carries a risk of bowel injury is aware of the symptoms of bowel damage. They should be able to identify when emergency action is necessary and if further urgent surgery is required.

Without surgical intervention a damaged or leaking bowel could lead to a life threatening condition like septicaemia.It could also result in long-term complications for the patient in the form of bowel incontinence or a permanent change of bowel habit. This can be both physically and psychologically disabling.

The long-term effect of bowel injury can also impact on a patient’s personal and social life as well as their future employment prospects and earning potential.