Gastrointestinal Perforation

Gastrointestinal perforation is a serious issue that can cause life-threatening complications, and it needs immediate medical care.

Gastrointestinal perforation

Gastrointestinal perforation is a hole anywhere in the gastrointestinal tract, which includes the esophagus, stomach, and small and large intestines.

Causes of gastrointestinal perforation

Gastric perforation occurs due to a trauma or injury in the GI tract that can be caused by:

• A knife or gunshot wound.
• Forceful vomiting.
• A cut from an accident.
• Swallowing a harmful object by accident.
• Bowel impaction.
• Medical procedures, such as colonoscopies.
• Certain medical conditions, such as appendicitis, diverticulitis, hernias, gallstones, bowel obstruction, peptic ulcer disease, cancers in the digestive system, and inflammatory bowel disease (including Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, and microscopic colitis).

Symptoms of gastrointestinal perforation

Symptoms of gastric or bowel perforation include:

• Severe belly pain or cramping.
• Pain or tenderness when touching the belly.
• Bloating or swollen belly.
• Nausea and vomiting.
• Fever.
• Chills.
• If not managed immediately, gastrointestinal perforation can lead to internal bleeding, peritonitis, sepsis, and permanent damage to the GI tract.

Diagnosis of gastrointestinal perforation

• Physical exam.
• Blood tests.
• Imaging tests.
• Endoscopy.

Treatment of gastrointestinal perforation

• An emergency surgery to fix the perforation.
• Medications.
• The risk of gastrointestinal perforation can be reduced by avoiding smoking and following a healthy and balanced diet.