Appendicitis and Gastrointestinal Perforation

Appendicitis is a painful swelling and infection of the appendix, a fingerlike pouch attached to the large intestine and located in the lower right area of the abdomen. The disease is caused by obstruction that prevents mucus created by the appendix to empty into the large intestine. As a result, bacteria that normally live inside the appendix multiply. The appendix swells and becomes infected.

The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases warns that an inflamed appendix will likely burst if not removed. Bursting spreads infection throughout the abdomen—a potentially dangerous condition called peritonitis. Failure to diagnose appendicitis may lead to microperforation or bursting of the appendix and liability of the doctor and hospital.

Surgical treatment to remove the appendix or address other diseases of the gastrointestinal tract also presents situations where medical error may occur. Perforations of the esophagus, stomach, intestines or colon are associated with many types of surgical procedures. Failure to diagnose and treat a gastrointestinal perforation permits a continuing spillage of gastric acids and gastrointestinal contents into the peritoneal cavity as with a burst appendix. Severe infection, septic shock, or death may follow.

Surgical error leading to perforations, failure to explain the risks of perforations, or failure to respond appropriately to reported symptoms of perforations may have serious medical consequences for the patient and legal consequences for the doctor and hospital. If you have a medical emergency, call 9-1-1. If you or loved ones believe that a failure to diagnose or treat appendicitis, a surgical error, or a failure to obtain informed consent to a medical procedure has occurred, contact Portland, Oregon, personal injury lawyer and medical malpractice attorney Dane E. Johnson directly at (503) 975-8298 or online for a consultation at no cost.