Colorectal Surgery

Posted By Sukhmander Singh on April 02, 1998 at 12:47:51:







I need to ask your opinion on something. My mum was diagnosed as having pseudo-membraneous colitis that caused toxin megacolon in April 1997. Following severe diarrhea that came and went since December 1996. She was operated on and an ileostomy was done. She had the stoma bag for about 8 months after which she had it reversed following the Hartman's procedure(done 15/12/97) succesfully. However since she was disharged she repeated had abdoman pains that came and wetn but existed throughout the day. So far since she was discharged on 6/2/98, she was hospitalised on 17/2/98, 24/2/98 and 24/3/98 for severe abdomen pain and vommiting. She was also diagnosed as having Urinary tract Infection. However her colorectal surgeon came to the conclusion recently that her intestines are twisted or there is blockage of some kind. He is telling us that he is avoiding to do surgery because of her weakness(a couple of surgeries within 9 months) and old age(she is 56). My mum however has no other medical problems aside from this. He also mentioned that surgery of this nature like before causes adhesions that causes such complications. It is a double edged sword. I need to ask you;
1) What are the chances of her having a succesful surgery this time? What are the chances of her intestines will being twisted again?
2) What are the percentage of succesful surgeries of this nature?
3) What are the alternatives to surgery? Is there other form of treatments?
4) Is it advisable for her to go for another surgery?
5) Will having a colostomy bag again solve the problem?