Trauma causes damage to the anus, anal canal and anal sphincter resulting in anal flaccidity, and prompt hospital consultation should be sought when this occurs. Surgical suture repair is essential to significantly reduce problems such as anal incontinence associated with anal sphincter damage. The main precautions to take during surgery are that the wound must be cleaned, the sutures must not leave a dead space, the sphincter must be well aligned and the drainage must be unobstructed, and function can be restored after surgery.