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Respiratory symptoms as an indicator of undiagnosed bowel perforation following laparoscopic surgery – an observation
Author(s) -
Cooper MJ,
Reid GD,
Kaloo P
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
australian and new zealand journal of obstetrics and gynaecology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.734
H-Index - 65
eISSN - 1479-828X
pISSN - 0004-8666
DOI - 10.1111/j.0004-8666.2002.00545.x
Subject(s) - medicine , bowel perforation , perforation , presentation (obstetrics) , surgery , laparoscopy , respiratory system , general surgery , complication , punching , materials science , metallurgy
Undiagnosed bowel perforation following diagnostic or operative laparoscopies is associated with significant morbidity and is indeed the primary cause of laparoscopy related mortality. The diagnosis of bowel perforation remains difficult, predominantly because of the highly varied clinical presentation. Respiratory symptoms have rarely been reported. We outline eight cases of undiagnosed bowel perforation in which the respiratory symptoms of dyspnoea and tachypnoea manifested themselves as an integral part of the clinical presentation. We believe these ‘atypical’ symptoms potentially further delayed the diagnosis and instigation of definitive management. Dyspnoea and other respiratory symptoms should be considered as additional warning signs of possible undiagnosed bowel perforation following laparoscopic surgery.