Why my daughter, 10, has a painful lump after appendectomy?
Patient's Query
Hi doctor,
My ten-year-old daughter had an appendectomy two days ago. She was in horrible pain after that. They wished to send her home, but they decided to keep her in the hospital since the pain could not be controlled with Tylenol or Ibuprofen.
Then the following day, she had terrible diarrhea. She went around ten times in two hours. It concerned me, but they informed me that the diarrhea was normal. Her pain was still pretty bad, so they finally decided to try something stronger than what we could take her home.
It did work for three hours, and they sent her home. By the time we got home, she was in horrible pain. She was crying most of the night until she fell asleep.
Yesterday, I noticed a lump on her back that was warm to the touch, and when I touched it, she said that the lump was the reason for her pain, and it hurts her badly. As I was concerned, I called her doctor, but they said that they had no idea what I was talking about and that they would like to check her in the ER the next day. I know that as parents, we overanalyze everything.
I did not take her to the ER because of a muscle strain. Also, I do not want to overlook something that could worsen her condition.
What could the lump be? Should I be concerned? She still has a fever and pain.
Please help.
Hi,
Welcome to icliniq.com.
I understand your concern.
Having severe pain and diarrhea post-surgery is a point of concern. From your description, there are two possibilities. Firstly, it may be a complication from surgery that needs to be clinically examined by the operating surgeon, evaluated, and managed accordingly.
Secondly, it may also be a missed diagnosis. As you described, there may be an abscess in the psoas muscle. But, this cannot be concluded from the limited information I have and without clinical examination.
An ultrasound or CT (computed tomography) scan would be necessary to diagnose it if suspected. Kindly get her evaluated by the operating surgeon or any general surgeon. The symptoms you describe are not to be taken lightly.
I hope this has helped you.
Please feel free to reach out to me again for further queries.
Thank you.
Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!
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