Performed by Dr. Ravi Chandra Reddy Obili at Dr Ravi Chandra Reddy
Perforation surgery is an emergency procedure to repair a hole in the wall of the stomach or intestines. These holes can allow digestive contents to leak into the abdominal cavity, causing serious infection. Dr Ravi Chandra Reddy performs this surgery to close the perforation, clean the abdomen and prevent life-threatening complications.
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A step-by-step look at what happens during this procedure.
General anaesthesia is administered and the patient is positioned on the operating table. The abdomen is cleaned and draped in a sterile manner.
An incision is made in the abdomen to access the perforated area. The surgical approach depends on the location and size of the perforation.
The surgeon examines the stomach and intestines to identify the hole and assess any surrounding damage or contamination.
The edges of the perforation are trimmed if needed and closed with sutures. In some cases, a patch of tissue may be used to reinforce the repair.
The abdominal cavity is thoroughly washed to remove leaked contents and reduce infection risk. Drains may be placed before the incision is closed in layers.
A structured, patient-first approach from first consultation to full recovery.
Dr Ravi Chandra Reddy ensures the patient is stabilised with intravenous fluids and antibiotics, and reviews imaging to plan the surgical approach.
The perforation is carefully identified and repaired using sutures or tissue reinforcement, with attention to the surrounding tissue health.
The abdomen is thoroughly cleaned to remove contamination, and drains are placed if needed to prevent fluid accumulation.
Close monitoring continues after surgery, with nutrition support, antibiotics and gradual resumption of oral intake as healing progresses.
What to expect at each stage of your recovery journey.
The first few days involve bed rest, intravenous nutrition and antibiotics. Pain is managed with medication and the surgical team monitors for signs of infection or complications. Individual recovery timelines vary.
After the first week, oral intake gradually resumes with clear liquids progressing to soft foods. Mobility increases with support and the incision is monitored for healing.
Over the following weeks, diet advances to normal foods as tolerated and activity levels slowly increase. Follow-up visits assess healing and address any concerns. Full recovery takes several weeks and individual instructions take priority.
The primary aim is to close the hole and prevent further leakage of digestive contents into the abdomen, addressing the immediate life-threatening situation.
Thorough cleaning of the abdomen and antibiotic treatment aim to prevent or control infection. However, infection risk may remain depending on the extent of contamination.
The surgery repairs the perforation but may not resolve the underlying condition that caused it, such as peptic ulcer disease or inflammatory bowel disease, which may require ongoing treatment.
Some patients may experience prolonged recovery, adhesions or digestive changes after surgery. Outcomes depend on the timing of treatment, extent of contamination and overall health.
The right choice depends on your diagnosis, risks and circumstances — discussed with you at your consultation.
In very selected cases with small, sealed perforations detected early, treatment with antibiotics, bowel rest and close monitoring may be considered instead of immediate surgery. This approach carries risks and is not suitable for most perforations.
Some perforations may be repaired using minimally invasive keyhole surgery rather than open surgery. The choice depends on the location, size and the patient's stability and is determined during assessment.
Let's clear up some of the most common myths about perforation surgery.
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