"The care I received following a bowel perforation"

In June 2023, I attended Antrim Hospital ED with fever, night sweats and pain caused by a deep pelvic abscess, a necrotic lymph gland was also detected. I was admitted initially to AAA, then A3, then C3.

Despite weeks of investigations and iv antibiotic therapy/drainage of abscess, five months later, signs of the abscess were still present. It was decided by Mr McAree and his surgical team that bowel resection surgery with loop ileostomy was required to hopefully remove the lower part of a most likely perforated colon.

I had undergone an investigative colonoscopy end of May 2023 and since admission Mr McAree had suspected that my bowel may have sustained a perforation during this procedure, causing the pelvic abscess. Initial CT scans had shown no evidence of perforation at the time, therefore conservative antibiotic therapy was tried first.

In October 2023, I had a loop diversion ileostomy and was admitted to the elective surgical unit in Antrim. The histology report from the dissected colon later confirmed a bowel perforation.

Prior to the initial colonoscopy in Whiteabbey I was informed by the doctor that bowel perforation was rare, but was a possibility. However, due to my bowel symptoms and an extremely high calprotectin level, the investigation was advised, so I gave signed consent.

The procedure itself was very painful. I was discontent with the way this procedure was carried out. I chose gas and air initially as I was keen to be able to leave as early as possible after the procedure.

As the colonoscopy began, I soon experienced a lot of discomfort. The doctor who was performing the procedure said they were finding it difficult to manoeuvre the scope around the loop of colon. The two assistants were chatting in the background. The doctor told them they needed more air and more pressure. They commenced more air and one of them physically pressed on my abdomen with their hands.

I continued to be in a lot of pain and was taking deep breaths of the gas and air. The doctor said I needed extra sedation. I reluctantly agreed. they inserted an IV cannula into my hand and gave me sedation. I continued to be in pain despite this. The doctor then wrote in a report of the colonoscopy, stating that the findings were normal. I feel this was very misleading, as at the time they did not see my entire colon therefore shouldn’t have stated normal findings.

However I’d like to give more feedback today on the subsequent care I received to diagnose and treat my symptoms. I thankfully have since had stoma reversal surgery in May 2024.