Bowel obstruction causes severe pain and stomach discomfort

• An obstruction completely stops or severely affects the passage of food. Doctors recommend eating well, staying active and keeping hydrated to drastically reduce the risk of developing this intestinal condition.

Santo Domingo.- At different times of day, we eat food that gives us the nutrients and energy we need for our activities. Sometimes, however, we may suffer a bowel obstruction, causing food, fluids and digestive secretions to build up in the intestines.

The most common causes of this condition are adhesions, hernias, cancers and certain medications. Symptoms include severe or cramping abdominal pain, reduced appetite, vomiting, a swollen belly, strong wind and constipation.

A bowel obstruction can be partial. When it is complete, it is classed as a medical emergency that usually requires surgery. This was the case for Luis Isaías Franco Hidalgo, a Dominican patient diagnosed with an intestinal fistula and sepsis.

Because of the complexity of his case, his primary care physician, Dr. Emil Jorge Manzur, and World Wide Seguro referred him to Cleveland Clinic Florida.

After completing all the paperwork, Luis Isaías Franco Hidalgo travelled to the United States, where at the hospital he was cared for by Dr. Conrad H. Simpferdorfer, who said that, given his condition, his treatment plan included hospitalisation, intensive care, emergency care, surgical procedures and follow-up during recovery and reoperation.

Admission and recovery

Luis Isaías Franco Hidalgo was admitted to Cleveland Clinic Florida on 11 April 2018. During that month and the next, he attended wound treatment twice a week with the VAC System, a controlled non-invasive therapy.

For six months, he had follow-up visits every 45 days. This process lasted until around 30 November of the same year, when he underwent reoperation to reverse the small bowel ostomy and restore his digestive system.

Franco Hidalgo recalls that his decision to be treated at Cleveland Clinic Florida was largely due to the hospital’s reputation as one of the best in the United States, and its geographical proximity to the Dominican Republic.

Describing his experience at the medical centre, he said “it was extraordinary and unique, with a wonderful team, from their representative in the Dominican Republic, Julieta Javier, to those who came to my room to pray with me. Despite the complexity of my case, I felt valued, respected and well cared for”.

“This experience deserves to be repeated, so to patients who have the same symptoms or diagnosis as me and are looking for treatment at Cleveland Clinic, the human care I received moves me to give them this advice: go straight to Cleveland Clinic as soon as possible!”, said Franco Hidalgo.

He also recommends that they first talk to their insurance broker about the process and the benefits for their health, “and then I suggest they contact the Cleveland Clinic representative for a more personalised service”.

A positive attitude

One question that makes Luis Isaías Franco Hidalgo reflect on his recovery is how he stayed positive during treatment and recovery. He answered: “my optimism is thanks to the support of my wife and my mother, and the backing I had at all times from Cleveland Clinic’s staff and caregivers, who very professionally devoted all their attention to my recovery, especially Dr. Conrad and his team”.

He said the experience has changed his outlook on life and had a positive impact on him, because he is aware of the scale of the follow-up he received, having worked in the health sector himself, specifically running a medical centre in Santo Domingo.

Today, Luis Isaías Franco Hidalgo has recovered and is back to a productive life. Last year, 2020, he was inspired to take part in ‘Global Executive Education’.

“I took part in order to learn more so I can provide quality services with the human touch I experienced at Cleveland Clinic Florida, and so support others in my country to receive timely medical care”, concluded Franco Hidalgo.