How Is an Intestinal Injury Treated?
A child with crushed, torn, or punctured intestines may need surgery to fix the injury. Your child will not be able to eat or drink for some time after the procedure.
He / she will have an IV (a small tube in their vein) to receive IV fluid hydration. He / she may also have a nasogastric tube (a tube placed through the nose into the stomach) after surgery to keep their stomach empty so that gastric material does not pass through the repaired intestine site and the intestines have time to heal. Antibiotics and pain medication may be given to your child to prevent infection and control pain.
As your child gets better, the doctors and nurses will check for return of bowel function. Once this has happened, your child will be allowed to start drinking clear liquids and over time progress to regular foods. It is important to know that healing time is not the same for each child and it can be days before your child can eat regular food.
If the intestine was only bruised, your child will probably not need surgery, but he / she may need to stay in the hospital to be monitored closely.
Medications and Pain Management
Speak to your trauma surgery provider about medications your child was taking prior to their admission to the hospital and obtain approval to resume home medications. Your child may have some pain or soreness at home. Give Acetaminophen (also known as Tylenol) for pain. Your child's trauma surgery provider may also write a prescription for stronger pain medication. Give the stronger medication if the pain does not go away one hour after giving Acetaminophen. Follow the directions on the prescription.
Do not give your child NSAIDs or Ibuprofen (also known as Motrin, Advil, Aleve, etc.) until the trauma surgery provider says that it is okay. Your child may require a stool softener while taking prescription pain medication to prevent constipation and straining with bowel movements.
Wound and Skin Care for Intestinal Injury
Your child may take a quick shower two days after surgery but should not go swimming or take a tub bath for one week. No swimming in lakes, rivers, or oceans for two weeks. If your child has cuts or scrapes on the skin from other injuries, wash the areas with warm, soapy water and pat dry. If your child has stitches, follow the specific instructions given by the trauma surgeon on caring for them or any other injuries or wounds.
