Florida man’s colon EXPLODES after coughing and sneezing at the same time in a diner – causing his intestines to fall out of his body
A 63-year-old Florida man suffered a frightening medical emergency while eating breakfast with his wife. The incident occurred just two weeks after he had abdominal surgery for prostate cancer.
Earlier that same day, his doctors had examined the surgical incision. They determined the wound was sufficiently healed and removed his stitches. To celebrate this positive step, the man and his wife went to a diner.
Disaster struck suddenly. A simultaneous cough and sneeze caused a sharp, sudden pressure in his abdomen. He immediately felt a wet sensation and severe pain.
Lifting his shirt, he made a shocking discovery. Several inches of his intestine were protruding through the reopened surgical wound. His wife quickly called 911 for help.
Paramedics arrived promptly, finding a three-inch abdominal opening. This injury, known as abdominal evisceration, is a severe form of wound dehiscence. The paramedic expertly covered the exposed organs with sterile saline to keep them moist before transporting him to the hospital.
At the hospital, surgeons successfully returned the bowel to the abdominal cavity. They securely closed the wound using layered sutures, specialized techniques, and surgical staples. The man recovered in the hospital for six days without further issues.
This rare complication affects up to 3% of abdominal surgery patients. While life-threatening, this patient survived without permanent injury, raising awareness of this postoperative risk.
