Gastrointestinal perforation is when a hole develops in your gastrointestinal (GI) tract. This condition can easily have serious complications that could result in death. Early detection and treatment are crucial to prevent complications.
Your gastrointestinal (GI) tract is made of the hollow organs that help you digest foods and liquids and absorb the nutrients your body needs. It starts at your mouth and ends at your rectum. A hole in your GI tract may cause many medical complications, especially if digested food or feces gets through the perforation.
What Causes Gastrointestinal Perforation?
Gastrointestinal perforation may happen for different reasons. The most common causes are trauma and bowel-related medical conditions.
Medical conditions associated with gastrointestinal perforation include the following:
- Peptic ulcer disease (PUD)
- Gallbladder disease
- Crohn’s disease
- Forceful vomiting
- Ulcerative colitis
- Blockage of the bowel
- Diverticulitis
- Cancer
- Chemotherapy medication
Using some commonly prescribed over-the-counter medications, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (aspirin and corticosteroids), may make you more likely to experience gastrointestinal perforation.
The following trauma incidents may cause gastrointestinal perforation:
- Perforation during an abdominal surgery
- Gunshot or knife wound
- Appendicitis
- Swallowing corrosive substances
- Swallowing foreign objects
What Are the Symptoms of Gastrointestinal Perforation?
Gastrointestinal perforation can be hard to notice in the early stages. Gradually, you may start noticing the most obvious signs, such as:
- Severe belly pain
- Vomiting
- Fever
- Nausea
- Chills
When to call your doctor
As mentioned earlier, early detection and treatment are important to manage gastrointestinal perforation. You must keenly observe yourself if you suspect that you have this condition. There are signs you should look out for after noticing your first symptom. Call your doctor if you're experiencing the following symptoms::
- Severe tummy ache
- Bloody stool
- Throwing up
- A change in bowel habits
- Fever or an increase in body temperature
- Nausea
Diagnosing Gastrointestinal Perforation
After you consult your doctor, they will examine you to diagnose your condition. Diagnosing gastrointestinal perforation mainly involves a physical exam and imaging tests.
These tests include the following:
- X-Ray. A chest or abdominal X-ray is done to confirm if there is gas in the stomach cavity. A perforation is responsible for letting air into the stomach cavity.
- CT scan. Abdominal CT scans may help your doctor check where the gastrointestinal perforation is.
- Endoscopy or colonoscopy. Procedures like upper endoscopy may also help locate the gastrointestinal perforation.
- Blood sample. Blood samples are taken to check for signs of infections and blood loss.
Can a gastrointestinal perforation go undetected?
Yes, you may only have mild symptoms if the hole is small. If you have stomach pain, bloating, fever, chills, or nausea that continues to worsen, see your doctor right away.
Gastrointestinal perforation is a rare side effect of surgeries that involve your GI tract, such as colonoscopies. So, tell your doctor right away if you notice any unusual pain or symptoms after an operation.
Can You Prevent Gastrointestinal Perforation?
You can prevent gastrointestinal perforation from happening. In most cases, people experience warning signs, such as abdominal pain, days before the perforation of the wall. Ensure that you talk with your doctor if you have severe abdominal pain.
If the condition is detected before perforation, treatment can be a lot simpler. It is also safer if you get treatment before the perforation fully occurs.
Complications of Gastrointestinal Perforation
The most common complication of gastrointestinal perforations is infection. An infection in the gastrointestinal tract is called peritonitis or an abdominal abscess.
The infection could also spread to other parts of the body through the bloodstream, causing sepsis. This can cause a whole-body infection, which is a serious condition and may lead to death if it's not managed in time.
Gastrointestinal Perforation Treatment
Gastrointestinal perforation is a serious condition that may require emergency surgery. Early detection and treatment are crucial to prevent serious damage to the digestive system. If diagnosed too late, it could lead to death.
Management also involves the treatment of any infection caused by the perforation. Your doctor may treat sepsis using fluids and antibiotic medication.
Surgery is often effective in repairing the perforation. But the success of surgical treatment depends on the following conditions:
- The severity of the perforation. The less severe your condition is, the higher the chances that surgery will be successful.
- How long the perforation has been there. A gastrointestinal perforation that has existed for a long time may be harder to manage.
- Presence of underlying medical conditions. Other underlying conditions, such as asthma, can make the treatment more complicated.
Your doctor may perform a colostomy, where the colon is connected to the abdominal wall. This allows the contents of the stomach to empty into a bag. With an ileostomy, the last part of the small intestine is connected to the abdominal wall.
In both cases, the bowel contents are emptied through a hole (stoma) created in your abdomen. This gives more time to the other parts of your GI tract to heal. The hole may later be repaired through surgery.
After the surgery, the doctor may give you some antibiotics to help manage and prevent infections.
Takeaways
If you're having severe stomach pain, contact your doctor right away. Always tell them everything to help them make an accurate diagnosis and treat your condition. Early detection is critical when treating gastrointestinal perforations. Take every medication as prescribed by your doctor for effective treatment. Try to avoid self-medication when you experience symptoms of gastrointestinal perforation.
Gastrointestinal Perforation FAQs
What is the survival rate for intestinal perforation?
Around 70% of people who are treated for gastrointestinal perforation recover.
What is the most common cause of gastric perforation?
Peptic ulcer disease (PUD) is the most common cause of gastric perforation.
What is the most common site of GI perforation?
The small bowel (or small intestine) is the most common site where gastrointestinal perforation may happen.
