LATERAL INTERNAL ANAL SPHICTEROTOMY FOR MANAGEMENT OF CHRONIC ANAL FISSURE

Background: Anal fissure is a common problem that causes substantial morbidity in persons who are otherwise healthy. This study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of lateral internal anal sphincterotomy as the surgical management of anal fissure. Material and Methods: This was a descriptive study conducted in the Department of Surgery, Mufti Mahmood Memorial Teaching Hospital D.I. Khan over a period of one year, from June 2007 to May 2008. A total of 60 patients were included in this study who did not respond to conservative treatment. Results: Fifty patients were males and 10 females. Age range was 20-55 years. Fifty-six (93%) patients had posterior and 4 (6%) anterior anal fissure. Fifty-eight (96.66%) patients were symptom free after lateral internal anal sphincterotomy and only 2 (3.34%) were still complaining of mild pain. Conclusion: Lateral internal anal sphincterotomy has excellent results in the patients with chronic anal fissure who do not respond to conservative treatment.