Necrotising fasciitis is a rare complication of caesarean sections. In this article we explore the risk of necrotising fasciitis after C-section in more detail.
Post-operative wound infection
All types of surgery carry the risk of infection as it gives the bacteria an opportunity to enter the body and multiply. Patients undergoing abdominal surgery are particularly vulnerable as the bacteria in the gut can easily become unbalanced, leading to an infection. This includes women having caesarean sections.
Because of the risk of post-operative wound infection, medical practitioners should consider whether or not a patient should be given antibiotics before having a C-section. This is known as administering prophylactic antibiotics and will prevent a post-operative wound infection occurring.
Prophylactic antibiotics should be administered to a woman undergoing a C-section if she thought to be at-risk of infection. This includes if she:-
- Is overweight
- Has diabetes
- Is already showing signs of infection
- Has a compromised immune system
Necrotising fasciitis after C-section
If prophylactic antibiotics are not administered, it is possible that an infection will arise after a caesarean section. There are different types of infection, with necrotising fasciitis being one of the most severe.
It is rare for necrotising fasciitis to develop after a C-section, but it does happen all the same. A woman with necrotising fasciitis will experience intense pain at the site of the surgical incision. The wound will be oozing and discoloured, and she will also have a fever and feel very unwell.
If a woman develops these symptoms and she has recently undergone a C-section, she should immediately be suspected of having a serious infection. Tests should be carried out to determine the exact cause and, once a diagnosis is confirmed, debridement surgery carried out.
Claiming for necrotising fasciitis after C-section
If necrotising fasciitis develops after a C-section, it will not necessarily amount to medical negligence. However, there will be grounds for a claim if a patient was known to be at-risk of developing an infection, but medical professionals failed to administer prophylactic antibiotics. At-risk patients might include those who are obese, diabetic, have an infection or a compromised immune system.
There will also be grounds for a claim if medical professionals fail to diagnose and treat necrotising fasciitis in a timely fashion. Although it is rare, doctors should be able to reach an accurate diagnosis shortly after the onset of symptoms. If there is a delay in diagnosis and this causes unnecessary injury, the patient will be entitled to claim compensation.
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