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Gastrointestinal disorders and flying (fitness to fly)

Last reviewed dd mmm yyyy. Last edited dd mmm yyyy

Authoring team

Check for specific guidance with the airline concerned.

  • gastrointestinal bleed - if the gastrointestinal bleed has occurred within 10 to 14 days then flying is contraindicated. Also flying is contraindicated if the patient has significant anaemia

  • post-laparoscopy - flying is may be permitted within a few days of a laparoscopy if there are no complications and if insufflated abdominal gas has gone

  • post-laparotomy - at least one to two weeks after surgery before flying may be permissable. This is because bowel gas can expand by approximately 25% at cabin pressure, therefore risking tearing of suture lines and other complications.

Note that these are only guidelines - each airline has its own regulations and medical standards and these must be consulted before travel.

Reference:

  • 'Medical guidelines for air travel', Aviation, Space and Environmental Medicine, October 1996, 67, 10, 11.

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