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Postoperative care

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Vigilance should be maintained for post-operative complications:

  • oral fluids are introduced after about 24 hours - the postoperative ileus is generally short-lived; in cases with peritonitis, a longer duration may be required before oral intake is re-introduced
  • monitor for sepsis or wound infection - look for spiking fevers

Before the patient goes home:

  • inspect wound, look for cellulitis and induration
  • rectal examination for signs of pelvic abscess

Use of antibiotics varies from surgeon to surgeon. A prolonged course of antibiotics may be warranted in the presence of peritonism or necrosis. If antibiotics were given postoperatively then the development of an abscess may be delayed. This information should be relayed to the patient and their doctor.

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