Apparatus and method of inhibiting perianal tissue damage

1. A perianal support device, comprising:

a compression body having a continuous compression surface apex dimensioned to span across an anal orifice for engagement with at least a portion of the external perianal tissue on opposing sides of the anal orifice of a patient, said compression surface apex oriented to extend along a first direction in a sagittal plane of a patient; and

a rigid compression member having a proximal portion and a distal portion, said compression member operatively joined to said compression body adjacent said distal portion and extending therefrom in a second direction to said proximal portion, said second direction generally transverse to said first direction, said compression member configured to transmit compressive force applied adjacent said proximal portion to said compression surface.

2. The device of claim 1 , further including at least a second compression member joined to said compression body.

3. The device of claim 2 , wherein said second compression member extends in a third direction substantially transverse to said first direction and at an angle with respect to said second direction.

4. The device of claim 3 , wherein said angle is between 130 and 30 degrees.

5. The device of claim 4 , wherein said angle is between 100 and 70 degrees.

6. The device of claim 1 , wherein said compression member includes an engagement surface for joining to an anchoring member.

7. A method, comprising:

providing a support member having a pressure surface configured for engaging the perianal area of a patient and an elongated compression member;

positioning the pressure surface proximate the perianal area of a patient and the compression member extending outwardly beyond the crown of the buttocks of the patient;

applying pressure to the compression member to direct pressure through the pressure surface against the perianal area of the patient;

providing an elongated fixation member joined to the compression member and wherein said applying pressure includes tensioning the elongated fixation member; and

securing the elongated fixation member to the patient after said tensioning,

wherein said securing includes moving the elongated fixation member laterally away from the anal orifice and fixing to a lateral flank of the patient.

8. A method of inhibiting perianal tissue damage during childbirth, comprising:

positioning a perianal support device in contact with at least a portion of the perianal tissue of the patient prior to delivery of a child;

positioning a compression member associated with the support device to extend outwardly in the sagittal plane beyond a gluteal cleft;

securing the position of the compression member relative to the perianal tissue, to thereby maintain the position of the perianal support device.

9. The method of claim 8 , wherein said positioning of the perianal support device in contact with at least a portion of the perianal tissue is performed concurrently with said positioning a compression member.

10. The method of claim 8 , wherein said securing includes moving an elongated fixation member connected to the compression member to a securing position.

11. A method of inhibiting perianal tissue damage during childbirth, comprising:

positioning a perianal support device in contact with at least a portion of the perianal tissue of the patient prior to delivery of a child;

positioning a compression member associated with the support device to extend outwardly in the sagittal plane beyond a gluteal cleft; and

securing the position of the compression member relative to the perianal tissue, to thereby maintain the position of the perianal support device, wherein said securing includes moving an elongated fixation member connected to the compression member to a securing position and

moving said elongated fixation member includes extending the elongated fixation member generally laterally away from the perianal tissue.

12. The method of claim 11 , further comprising securing the elongated fixation member to a lateral flank of the patient.

13. The method of claim 12 , wherein said securing includes adhering at least a portion of the elongate fixation member to the patient's skin.

14. The method of claim 12 , wherein said securing includes engaging the elongate fixation member with an anchor.

15. The method of claim 14 , further including securing an anchor to the patient prior to said engaging.

16. A support device for use on a patient, comprising:

a body configured for at least partial placement in the cleft of the buttocks, the cleft having a depth measured in the sagittal plane of the patient, the body having a contact surface configured to support a perianal region and a substantially rigid compression member extending from said body, said compression member extending a distance measured in the sagittal plane, said distance being greater than said depth, and dimensioned such that when the contact surface is supporting the perianal region, the compression member extends outwardly beyond the cleft.

17. The device of claim 16 , wherein said compression member extends substantially along the sagittal plane of the patient.

18. The device of claim 16 , wherein said compression member extends at a first angle with respect to said sagittal plane of the patient.

19. The device of claim 18 , further including a second compression member extending from said body, said second compression member extending at a second angle with respect to the sagittal plane complementary to the first angle.

20. The device of claim 19 , wherein said body, compression member and second compression member form a V-shape.

21. The device of claim 20 , wherein the V-shape has an apex and a pair of legs extending from the apex, said contact surface is positioned adjacent the apex of the V-shape and the pair of legs extending from the apex are the compression members.

22. The device of claim 16 , wherein said compression member is integral with said body.

23. The device of claim 16 , further including an anchor system for maintaining the position of the contact surface in the perianal region, said anchor system operatively engaged with said compression member.

24. The device of claim 23 , wherein said anchor system includes a flexible member.

25. The device of claim 24 , wherein said anchor system includes a patient fixation component configured for attachment to the patient.

26. The device of claim 25 , wherein said patient fixation component includes an adhesive segment to adhere at least a portion of the anchor member to the patient's skin.

27. A support device for use on a patient, comprising:

a body configured for at least partial placement in the cleft of the buttocks, the cleft having a depth measured in the sagittal plane of the patient, the body having a contact surface configured to support a perianal region and a compression member extending from said body, said compression member extending a distance measured in the sagittal plane, said distance being greater than said depth of the cleft of the buttocks, and dimensioned such that when the contact surface is supporting the perianal region, the compression member extends outwardly beyond the cleft; and

an anchor system for maintaining the position of the contact surface in the perianal region, said anchor system operatively engaged with said compression member and including a patient fixation component configured for attachment to the patient, wherein a first component of the patient fixation component is an adhesive pad adapted to adhere to the patient and a second component is a flexible member joined to said compression member and removably attachable to said first component.

28. The device of claim 27 , wherein said first component includes a first half of a hook and loop fastening system and said second component includes an opposing half of the hook and loop fastening system such that the first component may be removably connected to the second component.