The failure to diagnose bowel obstruction or bowel perforation can result in sepsis, which can be life threatening when left untreated. If a doctor ignores the signs and symptoms of bowel obstruction and does not administer proper treatment, the bowel can become perforated. Although a bowel perforation may sometimes be a known complication of certain medical procedures, the failure to recognize and take quick action to repair the perforation can lead to serious and life threatening consequences.