Peritonitis Treatment in India

Vikram Williams, a 68-year-old retired schoolteacher...

Vikram Williams, a 68-year-old retired schoolteacher and avid gardener, had been managing mild diverticulosis for years. Over three days, his usual abdominal discomfort escalated into severe, constant pain in his lower left abdomen, accompanied by fever, nausea, and an inability to pass gas. His wife insisted on taking him to the ER when he became confused. A CT scan revealed a perforated diverticulum, causing fecal matter to leak into his abdominal cavity and resulting in acute peritonitis. The gastroenterologist, Dr. Evans, explained that the infection was widespread and life-threatening, requiring immediate emergency surgery to clean out the abdominal cavity (a laparotomy with peritoneal lavage), remove the damaged section of colon, and create a temporary colostomy. Vikram was terrified, fearing the loss of his independence. The surgery was long and complex. Post-operatively, he spent five days in the ICU battling sepsis. The emotional low point was seeing the stoma bag, which made him feel broken. With dedicated stoma nurse support and his wife's unwavering encouragement, he slowly regained strength over six weeks. He learned to care for the colostomy, and his spirits lifted when Dr. Evans confirmed the inflammation had resolved and that a reversal surgery was possible in a few months. Vikram moved from despair and shock to resilience, focusing on the temporary nature of the bag and his goal to return to his garden.