A Prospective Study to Observe the Results and Complications of Lateral Internal Sphincterotomy in Anal Fissure

Aim: To observe the results and complications of lateral internal sphincterotomy in anal fissure. Materials&Methods: The study was carried out as a prospective observational study of 40 patients at surgery department of a medical college&tertiary health care center, over a period of two years that included cases of anal fissure in the age group of 16 years and above for conservative&surgical management. Results: The recovery of the patient after this marvellous operation was fast and the pain relief was dramatic. On follow-up at 2 weeks post-operatively pain and other symptoms were present only in 11 patients (27.5%). On follow-up at 8 weeks post-operatively all 40 patients (100%) were symptom-free in this study. The complications that were observed within time frame of this study were Soiling in 4 patients (10%) and incontinence to flatus in 1 patient (2.5%). There was no recurrence of anal fissure observed in this study group within the time frame of this study. Conclusion: It is very evident from the above study that 'Lateral Internal Sphincterotomy' is by far the best operation for an indolent anal fissure.