After a right hemicolectomy, how long until the patient's bowel movements return to normal consistency?
After having a right hemicolectomy, due to necrotizing enteritis, how long will it normally take for the patient’s bowel movements to return to a normal consistency, and are there dietary considerations that need to be addressed? This particular patient had 60 CM of Ascending Colon and 7 CM of Cecum and the Ileocecal valve removed, and the bowel reconnected. The patient was experiencing severe diarrhea and vomiting, Abdominal CT showed eschemic bowel and gas bubbles in the colon wall, and resection performed. Pathology showed necrotizing enteritis, but the pathogen remains unidentified. Patient was negative for C. Diff on multiple stool samples. Patient continues to have diarrhea 5 weeks post-surgery.
Tagged with: ascending colon • bowel movements • c diff • cecum • colon wall • diarrhea • dietary considerations • gas bubbles • ileocecal valve • normal consistency • pathogen • pathology • stool samples
Filed under: Colon Health Questions
Denisedds (88)
Sounds like the patient should call the dr and make a follow up with them, I wonder the the pathogen that caused the problem is still playing a major roll here. You might try to eat yogurt for the cultures to see if that helps or bulk fiber increase.
Diarrhea is the result of the cecum being removed. It will never subside, Surgeons rarely inform patients of this in consultation.
I never get involved in forums but I simply have to reply – ABSOLUTE RUBBISH to the last comment. I had a right sided hemicolectomy three years ago with caecum etc totally removed due to cancer. I have had absolutely NO problems and have never had diarrhoea. I lead a full and ‘normal’ life – I can eat anything – and do- and have got on with my life with joy.
If there is anybody out there who is concerned about a hemicolectomy – don’t be – it may save your life.
I had a right hemicolectomy 2 years ago. I was back at a physically demanding job in 4 weeks. I only ocassionally have diarrhea, after surgery I had to be circumspect about what I ate. As long as I didn’t overeat or binged on fatty or rough foods (like nuts, broccoli, mushrooms) I was okay. Now I almost never have diarrhea.