Aa
Aa
A
A
A
Close
Avatar universal

perforation of duodenum after colonoscopy

Is it possible to rupture the duodenum, without rupturing the colon at the same time ? I am just recovering from a ruptured duodenum after a month in hospital. But I distinctly remember receiving two rather painfully 'stabs' within seconds of one another during the colonoscopy.?
4 Responses
Sort by: Helpful Oldest Newest
Avatar universal
Colonoscopy are done with a mild sedative, pethedrin, so I was aware of what was going on, and indeed I did feel the two sharp stabs. Nothing else caused these stabs except for the person doing the colonoscopy. I then had to have a major operation to repair the damage he did.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Unless that scope either (a) traversed the entire length of your small intestine in order to reach the duodenum (which is next to the stomach) or (b) broke through the colon and THEN somehow reentered through the duodenum (which may explain the two sharp stabs; ask the hospital if they treated anything down there), your perforated duodenum could have been caused by something else. Also, you say you felt to sharp stabs during the procedure, but aren't colonoscopies normally done under general anesthesia?  

Good luck finding answers.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Thank you for your comments. I appreciate what you are saying about the duodenum not being entered during a colonoscopy, but that is exactly what happened.The dr/surgeon PERFORATED mine. I just cant understand how the surgeon managed to perforated my duodenum diverticulum, whilst performing a simple colonoscopy. But that is exactly what he did. Can you explain ?
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
The duodenum is not entered during a colonoscopy. The only portion of the intestinal tract that are investigated during that test are the rectum, sigmoid colon, transverse colon, ascending colon and, when possible, the last part of the terminal ileum.

An upper endoscopy visualizes the first part of the duodenum. A double-balloon enteroscopy is the only test that can really 'get into' the whole of the duodenum and other portions of the small intestine.
Helpful - 0
Have an Answer?

You are reading content posted in the Gastroenterology Community

Didn't find the answer you were looking for?
Ask a question
Popular Resources
Learn which OTC medications can help relieve your digestive troubles.
Is a gluten-free diet right for you?
Discover common causes of and remedies for heartburn.
This common yet mysterious bowel condition plagues millions of Americans
Don't get burned again. Banish nighttime heartburn with these quick tips
Get answers to your top questions about this pervasive digestive problem