TAILORED LATERAL SPHINCTEROTOMY IN MANAGEMENT OF CHRONIC ANAL FISSURE WITH HYPERTONIC ANAL SPHINCTER. A modified minimal invasive technique and its clinical and manometric outcome.

Abstract:

 Aim: to do lateral internal sphincterotomy tailored according to length of fissure in patients having hypertonic internal sphincter (IAS) by technique has advantages of open and closed methods. Clinical and anomanometric outcome will be assessed.

Patients and Methods: 70 patients and 70 controls were subjected to anorectal manometric study. All patients had hypertonic IAS compared with controls.

Sphincterotomy was done through a 5-7mm circumferential incision just lateral to lower edge of IAS. Its length was more or less equal that of fissure. Sentinel tags, anal polyps and fibrotic fissure were excised.

Results were assessed as persistence of symptoms, complications, healing, postoperative resting anal pressure (RAP) and recurrence.

Results: Preoperative RAP significantly higher in patients (132.89 ± 6.61 cm H₂o) than controls (79.64 ± 71, P >0.001). Sepsis of sphincterotomy wound occurred in 1.4%, bruising in 1.4%, transient minor soiling in 11.4% and no incontinence. In 97.2%, fissures healed within 6 weeks, postoperative RAP dropped significantly (78.09 ± 6.62 cm H2o, P >0.001). After 15.8 months mean follow up period, recurrence occurred in 4.3%.

Conclusion: Tailored lateral internal sphincterotomy is effective treatment of CAF with anal hypertonia. Our technique is safe and does not affect continence.