Assessment of sphincterotomy results in patients treated for anal fissure.

OBJECTIVE

This paper summarizes results of a study of 90 patients operated on for chronic anal fissure with lateral sphincterotomy (LS) between 1985 and 1997.

METHODS

Preoperative and postoperative complaints, anal examination and continence were evaluated. All patients were asked to rate the results of LS as very good, good, satisfactory or unsatisfactory.

RESULTS

Sixty-six patients (73.3%) judged the results of LS to be very good. Only 4 (4.4%) judged the results unsatisfactory and 1 patient (1.1%) considered the results satisfactory. Recurrent anal fissure was found in 4 cases (4.4%). Two patients developed a fistula in connection with the procedure.

CONCLUSIONS

Lateral sphincterotomy is a safe and simple operation that yields good results. However, LS should be diagnosed and performed by a surgeon skilled in proctologic surgery.