Complications of Colectomy

[murph9]

Hi,  

   My father underwent a colectomy about six weeks ago.  The procedure seemed tp have gone well except that there is still and abdominal drain in him that collects about 50-100 ccs of fluid every twenty four hours.  The fluid sometimes has a straw color and other times it looks like milk.  We have gone to three different surgeons in the New york/New jersey area and they do not have a solid answer for us.  What should we do?  What is the fluid?

[Jaybay]

I should think one of his docs would explain that to you, and also send some of this fluid to pathology for analysis.  It certainly seems a bit odd that your father still needs a drain after all this time.  That fluid is a natural bodily response to trauma, but it goes away once the body heals.  The docs may not be concerned about it because it sounds like there is no blood in it.  If you aren't getting answers from his surgeons, how about consulting his family doc or gastroenterologist?

[murph9]

thank you  

[murph9]

thank you