If following an endoanal ultrasound scan, damage to the external anal sphincter has been diagnosed, surgical repair may be an option. The majority of sphincter repair operations are successful with 80% of people claiming to have a satisfactory outcome longer than 2 years following surgery.
This operation consists of a cut in front of the anus. The surgeon will then overlap the damaged muscle ends to form a complete ring of muscle around the anus. This operation would mean a 3 – 7 day stay in hospital and possibly a further 2 – 4 weeks off work to recover.
Although this is not major surgery there may be considerable swelling and bruising around the anus. It is advisable that women who would like to have children should wait to have this surgery until their family is completed or alternatively elect to have a caesarean delivery because a normal vaginal birth could damage the repair.
Post Anal Repair
If the pelvic floor area is generally weak and sagging but the sphincter muscle is not actually torn or damaged, your surgeon may suggest a post-anal repair.
This is done via an incision behind the anus and the muscles are tightened up to give more support. Approximately 1 in 4 patients have sustained good long term bowel control following this operation.
Rectal Prolapse Repair
A rectal prolapse can be repaired and the rectum fixed back in place. There are 2 ways to repair the prolapse, either by a repair through the anus without external incision (Delormes procedure) or through an incision in your abdomen (abdominal rectopexy). Nowadays the rectopexy can be done laparoscopically with 4 or 5 very small incisions instead of one large incision across your lower abdomen.
Further Information can be found in the Sphincter Repair Surgery download below.
Sphincter Repair Operation
[BBC:038] Sphincter Repair Operation
A patient’s guide to a sphincter repair operation, beneficial for people whose anal sphincter is found to be damaged or very weak, giving them trouble with controlling their bowels.
