Bowel Resection - Risk of Leaking

[badchi]

Hi,

My 16 year old daughter has just had bowel resection 2 weeks ago due to a ruptured appendix and now seems to be recoverying fine.
However, I heard that there are complications like leakage of the joint and scar tissue. Does anyone know what to look out for ? Symptoms ?

Also how long after surgery before you know one if free of all complications? 3 months ? 1 year ???

Thanks

Badchi

[badchi]

Thanks for your reply and that is reassuring to hear. I will take her temperature as you sugguested.

Have a good weekend :)

[ggreg]

This leaking you're referring to is where a stitched-up area, especially of the bowel, will bust open and "leak," and can cause an infection.  Infection is one of the major complication of all surgeries, and it normally shows itself within 24 hours, generally by a high fever.  Once the operation scar heals up, and if a person feels well for at least a week with normal temperature, you can pretty much consider your daughter out of the woods.  If you are still uneasy, just take her temperature about twice a week for a while, continue to ask her if she still feels well, and then I think you can safely let it go by the end of the summer.