I was just thinking about the child who was disemboweled

Nurses General Nursing

Published

Specializes in ORTHOPAEDICS-CERTIFIED SINCE 89.

at the country club pool. Apparently she sank to the bottom and the suction was strong enough to pull her small gut out. It seems to me this would be a perfect trial of a stomach, pancreas, liver and small bowel transplant. I know they like to do it in one block because of all the anastamoses needed. Has anyone heard anything else?

0 Votes

just that she is scheduled for a series of surgeries; in serious condition at children's hospital, minnesota; and owner is denying any wrongdoing.

how come she would need all these transplants?

leslie

0 Votes

I dont know how bad the actual injury was, yes it sounded horrid but was it something that could be repaired by a resection? Even if she had to have a colostomy (which would be horrid) I would think this would still be better than the long term effects of the anti rejection medications.

The transplant just sounds really really risky.

0 Votes
Specializes in Maternal - Child Health.
i dont know how bad the actual injury was, yes it sounded horrid but was it something that could be repaired by a resection? even if she had to have a colostomy (which would be horrid) i would think this would still be better than the long term effects of the anti rejection medications.

i'm not sure that having a colostomy or ileostomy would be the final answer for her. if her entire small intesting is gone, her ability to absorb nutrients from food would be destroyed, leaving her dependent on iv nutrition for the rest of her life.

the transplant just sounds really really risky.

it is my understanding that she lost her entire small intestine. i don't know the condition of her large intestine. my only familiarity with this type of transplant comes from preemies who have survived necrotizing enterocolitis, but lost virtually all of their small intestines due to resections. those children will survive for a time on tpn and lipids, until their growth needs outstrip the calories that can be provided iv, and their livers are seriously damaged. multi-organ transplant can offer some hope. i believe these are done in pittsburgh. there may be other facilities that do them as well, but i'm not sure. what a horrible set of circumstances. if this child is a candidate for such surgery, it would at least be an advantage that she is otherwise healthy and strong, unlike many former preemies.

0 Votes

If she lost her entire small intestines then would it be possible that her large intestines were not lost? I would think if her intestines were pulled out the large would be the most damaged.

0 Votes

This has happened before. They have had cases like this at Childrens Hospital. If my memory serves me correctly there were transplants involved.

0 Votes
Specializes in med/surg/tele/neuro/rehab/corrections.

I saw something on the news of a different girl and her story of sitting in the children's pool and her bowel being suctioned out by the strong pull of the drain and this is many years later now and the girl is just fine. No large bowel though. Her dad was interviewed and she was interviewed also and she acted like any other little girl so a good outcome is possible. What a horror story though. :o

The news was doing a story on how dangerous pools can be if the drains are not covered etc. Hope that little girl you are talking about will be ok :o

0 Votes
Specializes in ORTHOPAEDICS-CERTIFIED SINCE 89.

Somewhere back in my mind I read that it is much easier to take a block of organs (who are familiar with each other) than to introduce just 1 new part.

0 Votes
Specializes in ORTHOPAEDICS-CERTIFIED SINCE 89.

http://www.georgetownuniversityhospital.org/body.cfm?id=1483 at Georgetown

http://www.nebraskamed.com/transplant/smallbowel_transplant_program.cfm

Nebraska Medical Center

http://www.wjgnet.com/1007-9327/10/1499.pdf

Here's a study on pigs using pancreas and small bowel.

0 Votes

These stories always bother me, but on occasion I get one that will keep me from sleeping for a couple of days after hearing it.

The amusement park accident where the girl lost her feet was another one.

These just make me so sick, it's almost too much to bear even thinking about it.

0 Votes

What a horrible story. If this has happened before, what could be done to prevent it in the future?

0 Votes
Specializes in Too many to list.

What can I say? I am stunned that this could happen in a place where you

might reasonably expect your children to be safe. Unbelievable, that this has

happened to other children as well.

What can be done to prevent such horrendous injuries from ever happening again?

0 Votes
+ Add a Comment