Question:
Has anyone had a post -op leak?

My son in law had a leak that almost killed him. It's now 2 1/2 months later and he is still leaking. Anyone with this issue and how long did the leak take to close? He has had 4 procedures to "glue" the hole still no luck. Dr's say "be patient" Thats getting very difficult as he cannot eat or drink nothing( not even a sip of water) Any info would be appreciated    — Dotty1775 (posted on August 14, 2007)

August 14, 2007
I would get a new surgeon ASAP and report the old one to the AMA and your local licensing board. There is obviously something seriously wrong if he cannot even drink water. Dehydration is serious and can require hospitalization. The doctor's "just be patient" attitude is outrageous. If he won't take your SIL's condition seriously, find a doctor that will. Best wishes to your family - I hope he feels better soon. ~Sarah in VA
   — platypus

August 14, 2007
I'm assuming that he is in the hospital and on fluids so he shouldn't be in danger of dehydrating. Have they taken him in for another surgery (actually opened him up and looked or are they scoping)? Before going so far as to complaining to the AMA. Talk to the doctor and find out what his plan is since the "glue" procedure hasn't worked. Put some pressure on him. I know it's hard to question Dr's but you have to remember he is working for your son-in-law...not the other way around. If he doesn't seem to know.. then get another doctor in for a second opinion.
   — wls_srf

August 15, 2007
I think possibly your wording is wrong, a "leak" in the medical surgical field means a leak in the bowel, you could not have a leak in a bowel for 2 and a half months. I believe you may means he has an opening from the surgery that has not sealed and is still draining liquids. Does your son have a wound vac on his opening and if not ask the doctor why it would not help him, and is he on antibiotics? If not ask why not. He should be seen by a wound care specialist if he is not. Please let me know if I am off base but I am almost certain I am on the right track. If your son is a long term dietitic this is not out of the question if he has an infection to take a long time to heal. Has the wound been cultured (tested) to see what is growing?
   — DonnaB.

August 15, 2007
Myhusband had a leak back in 1995. Primitive times. Lucky us, our docs were doing a 5 yr study on them, which was reported at the ASBS conferfence in 2000. This leak was at the stoma, where the intestine connects to the pouch, the most common site. It was very rare to survive them in those days. Our doc re-operated on the 5th day and he was given 50/50. They completely rebuit it and he's had no issues whatsoever since then. I do know someone who was being revised from an older surgery. She'd been vomiting for 11 years and so was very malbourished when she was revised. She had a leak and it took months to heal, because her tissue was so compromised. BUT she pulled thru, and finally began to experience life at a normal weight and without vomiting for the first time in more than a decade. There is hope ahead!
   — vitalady

August 15, 2007
Well not sure of the leak but have to say if from what my dr has said that is urgent to get care and fix right away
   — Txbookem555

August 17, 2007
I responded to a question you wrote... not sure which came first. I don't think that the people majority of people posting here understand the gravity of the situation. While a second opinion is never a bad thing, I would hold off on calling the AMA and instead focus on your loved one getting better, being postive, making sure he has support, etc. Please make sure that the info you use (or your son in law) to guide medical decision making comes from a reliable source... while many of us here like to think we are very medically in-tune (if not employed in the field of health care), without access to your SIL medical records, we can't (and really shouldn't) be giving you advice. By all means get a second opinion. Best wishes.
   — mrsidknee

January 4, 2010
I had a contained leak post op. His is much worse because anything he would take by mouth would leak into his gut, which is why he can't have anything by mouth. Is he in the hospital, or at home on TPN? My leak is supposedly healed, but I'm still on TPN because I can't keep anything but ice chips down, and it's been almost 6 weeks since leak was diagnosed! You do have to be patient unless you want to go through procedure after procedure. It takes time for it to heal. My nurses let me chew ice chips, then spit them out while mine was healing - maybe that would help him feel less dry, but don't swallow! I'm sorry this happened, I know how difficult it is!
   — vermeer