liver disease

[hollyhock123]

My husband was diagnosed with cirrhosis last October.  Since June 29th he has done an outstanding job of transferring his nightly vodka to a nightly lemonade.
His stomach and navel have been quite extended and last night a small hole in his navel burst. He lost around a quart or more of yellow liquid through that hole.

Is this something that can be expected?  Does it happen often?  Should we be concerned?  What happened?

I wanted him to go to emergency but he would not go.  

He has a doctor's appointment September 14th.  Is that soon enough or should we contact the doctor and ask that the appointment be moved up?

Any help you can provide will be appreciated.

Thank you

[Kevin Pho, MD]

I would see a physician.  It is likely that some of the abdominal fluid that stemmed from the cirrhosis (ascites) leaked through a break in the skin.  The possibility of infection and continued drainage would be the problems to be concerned about.  

Seeing a physician to clean and patch the skin break should be considered.

Followup with your personal physician is essential.

This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.

Kevin, M.D.
http://www.straightfromthedoc.com

[denver15]

If you could tell me what let to your husband's diagnosis, it would be helpful to me, as my husband is in the process of being diagnosed...  has had horrible back pain and extreme weight loss for months...  had 7 pounds of fluid taken from his abdomen last week...

[kimbacat]

I think I would have called the ambulance anyway.  but I would definitely call your doc right away and let him/her know what happened.  

it sounds like your husband has ascites (fluid in the abdominal cavity) that eventually perforated the abdominal wall and leaked out.  it's one thing to have the fluid drained under controlled, sterile situations, but quite another for it to happen spontaneously.  I would be concerned that he might develop an infection at the site of perforation that would go directly into the abdomen and cause serious problems.  he should at least have the perforation site examined, treated/repaired and monitored properly.

[JackieG]

WOW.  Kimbacat, you hit the nail on the head!!!  I hope it's not from personal experience.

[hollyhock123]

I have been advised that my husband my have spontaneous paractesis caused by an umbilical hernia.


any comments?