ischemic colitis after appendectomy

[luke1344]

I just recently had a laproscopic appendectomy and 17 days later I find out that I have a case of ischemic colitis.  I am 27 years old, healthy, and have never had any vascular issues or blood clotting issues.  The ischemic colitis was determined from a biopsy taken during a colonoscopy.  I have found on a few online sites that abdominal surgery is occasionally followed by ischemic colitis.  Could this be just that and how would they determine that this is just an isolated case post surgery and not something that will come back?

Thanks

[mqrcie]

Hi, I just wanted to hear more on your experience.  I had ischemic colitis 3 days after surgery on my spine.  I had a severe drug reaction and passed out after hrs of vomiting and supposedly I stopped breathing for a few moments, anyway it was explained that when that happened my body redirected my blood to more important organs like my heart etc. and about 2 feet of the inside of my colon died.  Fortunately after the colonoscopy they determined that it would heal but I was on a clear liquid diet and major antibiotics.  Unfortunately I contracted C diff. and ended up with a 21 day stay in hosp.  My colon healed because they explained that I let my colon rest and fortunately the C diff. cleared up and hasn't come back and that was in 2003.  I would definately discuss this with my doctor if I were you.  Did you go on a clear liquid diet, let your insides heal?  I was told that the colonoscopy showed that the ischemic colitis didn't penetrate to the outside of the colon so I was very lucky to get away without surgery.  I had many tests done to check my vascular system but it came out fine.  I just wanted to share my story since I have never had a chance to hear from other people who had the same thing.  I would be interested if you could share more info with me and if you found out more from your doctor.  Thank you and hope you are feeling better.

[CalGal]

Luke, this is something you really need to discuss with your doctor. It could be just due to the surgery, but you need to make sure it's not going to be an on-going issue.