Fetal lacerations are a common risk with C-sections. Although most fetal lacerations do not result in serious injury, some can be devastating, resulting in amputations or scarring. Pregnant women in Kentucky and Ohio might be interested to learn about a new medical device that makes C-section deliveries safer by preventing injuries to infants. A new device called C SAFE allows the initial incision to be made with a blunt piece of plastic, with the blade then facing up for the procedure and never coming in contact with the infant.
C-sections account for approximately 33 percent of births on a national level, making C SAFE an invaluable new piece of equipment for doctors and patients. Although there is no official timeline for availability in Kentucky, the company that makes the device says it will be available to doctors for use in certain areas by the end of the year.
Failure to perform a C-section when one is needed places the infant at risk for brain injuries, long-term disabilities, or wrongful death, but physicians may be hesitant to perform the surgery because of the risk of fetal lacerations. According to one physician whose own infant was nicked during a C-section and who has herself lacerated an infant while performing the procedure, such an incident can affect your performance as a physician for quite some time. The physician, whose third child was delivered safely using the C SAFE device, says that this new procedure lessens the anxiety over the risks associated with a C-section.
The birth of a child should be a joyous event, but injuries resulting from unsafe or improper methods used during delivery can overshadow that joy and have devastating results. Legal remedies are available to persons who have been injured at the hands of a negligent or incompetent medical practitioner.
Source: CBS Philly, “Health: New Way To Reduce Risk Of Injuries At Birth“, Stephanie Stahl, June 26, 2013