Necrotising fasciitis is most frequently contracted when bacteria enter the deep soft tissue of the body via a wound to the skin. Surgery offers an easy point of entry for these pathogens.
The necrotising fasciitis route
Necrotising fasciitis can develop in any part of the body but is often found in the abdomen or the limbs.
All it requires is for bacteria which can otherwise be relatively benign to find a way into the interior of the body though a cut or incision to the skin.
Abdominal surgery, therefore, whether open or keyhole, can provide just such a portal for bacteria to move through.
Once the bacteria, often streptococcal but also possibly a wide range of other pathogens, has made its way to the body’s deeper tissue, the infection can begin to spread through the inter-connective tissue at an alarming rate. As it infects tissue, it will cause that tissue to die, rapidly and increasingly reducing the body’s ability to function and support life.
Necrotising fasciitis and abdominal surgery
Unfortunately, a wide range of operations are undertaken in and around the abdomen since it contains some of the body’s major organs. We have found a variety of surgical procedures which have led to the patient developing this appalling and potentially lethal condition including the following:
- A C-Section birth
- A hysterectomy procedure
- Gallbladder surgery
- Surgery on the digestive tract due to colitis, coeliac disease, cancer etc.
- Removal of an appendix
Patients undergoing abdominal surgery require close post-operative monitoring for any signs of infection. It is particularly important where the patient falls into one of the ‘at risk’ groups such as pregnant women, the elderly, people with diabetes or those who are overweight.
A failure to observe and respond to signs of infection in patients after abdominal surgery can prove fatal. Where the patient survives, they are likely to have undergone considerable destructive surgery and experienced an extended period of care in a high dependency unit.
Symptoms of necrotising fasciitis
Symptoms that a patient may be developing necrotising fasciitis include the following:
- Intense and disproportionate pain in the region of the cut or incision
- Redness and swelling in the region of the cut
- Tenderness in the area of the cut
The patient may also start to exhibit other signs of severe illness such as a high temperature, a fast heartbeat and rapid breathing.
In these circumstances, the possibility that the patient is developing necrotising fasciitis should not be ignored.
Medical negligence
If you or a loved one have suffered the appalling effects of necrotising fasciitis due to a failure to recognise and act urgently on your symptoms, you may be entitled to make a claim for compensation.
Contact us to discuss your situation with an experienced medical negligence solicitor.
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