post operation fluid

My mum had her gall bladder removed as she had gall stones.  However, after the op, she was sent home, but readmitted due to chronic pain in her abdomen and across her shoulders.  She was admitted with suspected peritonitis.  However, after examination, we were told that she had fluid which was causing the pain, and she is being treated with intravenus antibiotics.  Howvwer, we have not been told what this fluid could be.  Could it be blood?  If not, what is the fluid and what is causing it?  She also has not been allowed anything to eat or drink, which suggests to me that they may have to operate.  I would be very appreciative of any help on this matter.
Thankyou.

[HFHSM.D.0Gastro-RF]

Dear Rhona,
It is inappropriate to gas what is causing your mother's problems without reviewing her medical record.  In general terms, after a cholecystectomy, especially if done via the laparoscope, one must consider bile peritonitis, a leak of bile from the duct.  Bile is very irritating and can cause peritonitis.  An infection must also be considered.  Blood in the peritoneum can become infected also.

To diagnose a bile leak it is necessary to do an ERCP (endscopic test in which dye is injected into the bile duct). If a leak is seen, then a stent can be placed to cover the hole and permit healing.

[monica]

Rhona, I have been looking for anyone else who has had this same problem.  I had an opened procedure Nissan Fundoplication surgery (after two failed laproscopic procedures) and had painful fluid in my stomach.  That was in September; however, the fluid is no longer painful, but just uncomfortable.  The strange thing is that it fluctuates from the size of an egg, to larger than my hand.  I asked my surgeon if he could aspirate it, but he was too afraid of infection.  He says eventually it will go away.  I can sympathize with your Mom, it can be very painful.  Oh, the fluid I have contains some blood, but not all.  It was coming through my incision until recently.  I hope we can get an answer. I would also like to know what causes it and why it is lingering around.
Take care!
Monica

[Gina]

I had a c-section and when i got home, my incision opened up and was leaking some kind of fluid mixed with blood. I went back to  my doctor and he taped my incision back up and didn't give me antibotics he told me this happens all the time (but later i found out he had taken my medical records along with dozens of other patient records and skipped out of the country). sixteen months later i had another c-section and when they opened me up they found a pocket of pus and a infection throughout my stomach. they put tubes coming out of my incision to drain the fluid and put me on high dosages of antibotics. I have had 4 more surgeries since as a result of the infection (called staph infection). Rhonda, i think if i were you, i would go to a different surgeon for a second opinion. It is very important that antibotics are given to make sure you didn't get an infection when the fluid was leaking through your incision.

[rhona]

Thankyou for the answer you gave me.  We have since found out that the surgeon went through an abdominal muscle with the camera used in the keyhole surgery.  This caused the chronic infectiion.

Will the fact that the muscle was damaged have any long term affect, and if so, what will this be?

Thanks again.