[The long-term results of mechanical anal sphincteroclasis].

BACKGROUND

The long-term results of 36 patients operated of manual dilatation of the anus are presented. Chronic anal fissure or benign anal stricture have been treated by this procedure in the years '80s.

METHODS

Patients have been in part clinically examined and the other called up by phone interview. Average follow-up is 78 months.

RESULTS

Nobody has been re-operated for the same cause, but 2 patients underwent sphincter sparing operation for rectal cancer. Twenty-five patients (72%) completely recovered, 5 (12.5%) complain sometimes from sudden anal pain and 3 (8%) report minor incontinence problems.

CONCLUSIONS

These long-term results do not confirm disastrous conclusions reported by other authors in the literature, even if the incidence of continence disorders is higher than in anal sphincterotomies.