If you have been left with a defect in your anal sphincter after birth, is medical error to blame?
Symptoms of anal sphincter dysfunction
The anus has two sphincters: the external anal sphincter and the internal anal sphincter.
The internal anal sphincter is an involuntary muscle that keeps the anal canal closed at rest. It offers a fine control of continence. Dysfunction of the internal sphincter usually leads to the inability to control flatus (wind), and also passive faecal seepage.
The external anal sphincter is a skeletal muscle primarily responsible for the ability to defer defecation until socially convenient. Dysfunction of the external sphincter usually leads to urgency in that an individual cannot wait to get to the toilet; if they do not reach a toilet in time there will be an episode of incontinence.
Anal sphincter injuries after birth
Both internal and external anal sphincters are vulnerable to harm during child birth. If the internal anal sphincter is damaged, a patient will have a third degree tear. If both the external and internal anal sphincters are damaged, a patient will have a fourth degree tear.
Third and fourth degree tears are serious injuries that need to be repaired shortly after the delivery by an experienced surgeon. Even if the injury is adequately treated, it is possible that there will still be anal sphincter dysfunction afterwards. This is because with any delivery, particularly difficult or instrumental deliveries, the pudendal nerves can be damaged. These nerves supply sensory and motor function to the perineum and anal/urinary sphincters.
Anal sphincter dysfunction is therefore an accepted consequence of child birth. If caused by pudendal neuropathy, a recovery of motor function is possible and this maximises about six months after the delivery.
Is medical negligence ever a factor?
As long as a good standard of care has been achieved, medical professionals will not be to blame for a patient’s ongoing complications. However, there are times when medical negligence is at play.
For example, if there is a physical disruption to the sphincter which is not repaired, or it is repaired but it breaks down, this leads to a gap in the sphincter muscle which does not function efficiently.
The same applies to the internal anal sphincter. If it is not properly repaired at the time of the initial injury, then on balance of probabilities, function will be reduced.
If a sphincter injury is not repaired shortly after birth, there will be a case of medical negligence. If this has caused you to suffer dysfunction, you will be entitled to claim compensation. Contact us to find out more.
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