Controlled lateral sphincterotomy for chronic anal fissure

Anal Fissure and Its Treatments: A Historical Review

Anal fissure is one of the most common proctological pathologies. It consists of the formation of a longitudinal tear in the anoderm, causing pain and bleeding during and after defecation. When chronic, it can significantly negatively impact the quality of life of the affected patient. Currently, multiple therapeutic options are available, both medical and surgical. The objective of this article is to highlight the historical evolution in the physiopathological understanding and treatment of this disease, underlining the key moments in this history. This is the first article to summarize the milestones in the treatment of anal fissure from ancient to current times.

Modified open posterior internal sphincterotomy with sliding skin graft for chronic anal fissure and anal stenosis: Low recurrence rate and no serious faecal incontinence postoperative complication

AIM

Lateral internal sphincterotomy (LIS) remains a standard for chronic anal fissure even though other surgical techniques have shown high efficacy. Faecal incontinence is a well-documented complication of LIS. We devised modified open posterior internal sphincterotomy (m-OPIS) with sliding skin graft (SSG), which is a combined procedure of OPIS and anal advancement flap. The aim of this study is to evaluate m-OPIS+SSG.

METHODS

This was a retrospective, observational, single-arm study. m-OPIS+SSG was performed for chronic anal fissure and anal stenosis. m-OPIS involved incision of the internal sphincter muscle at the posterior midline until four fingers could be passed. The incision wound was closed by anastomosis of the anoderm and skin. Then, an arcuate skin incision was created and the skin graft was advanced into the anal canal. Follow-up was conducted by clinical consultation and telephone interview. Faecal continence was assessed by Cleveland Clinic Faecal Incontinence (CCFI) score.

RESULTS

m-OPIS+SSG was performed in 143 patients. The mean patient age was 50±16 years. The success and overall recurrence rates after m-OPIS+SSG were 99% and 0.7%, respectively, with a median follow-up period of 16.3 years. One patient developed incontinence with liquid stools once during the 6-month period. None of the other patients suffered permanent faecal incontinence postoperatively. The postoperative CCFI score was 0.5±0.9.

CONCLUSIONS

We consider m-OPIS+SSG as one of the efficacious options of procedure for chronic anal fissure and anal stenosis, owing to its high success rate, low recurrence rate and no postoperative complication of serious faecal incontinence.

A tailored rhomboid mucocutaneous advancement flap to treat anal stenosis

AIM

Anal stenosis (AS) is a rare but disabling disorder that often represents a complication of anorectal surgery. The aim of our study was to assess the safety and functional outcome of a modified rhomboid flap (MRF) in the treatment of moderate and severe AS.

METHODS

Between January 2002 and September 2017, 50 consecutive patients with moderate and severe AS who underwent an MRF were retrospectively included. Anal continence (Cleveland Clinic Incontinence Score) and symptoms (Obstructed Defaecation Syndrome Score) were assessed preoperatively and postoperatively at 12 months. Furthermore, anal calibre was measured both preoperatively and postoperatively at 1, 6 and 12 months.

RESULTS

The mean follow-up period was 97 ± 48.3 (33-180) months. The main aetiology was a previous excisional haemorrhoidectomy (N = 23; 46%). The mean preoperative anal calibre was 9.96 ± 2.68 (5-15) mm and there was a statistically significant improvement in all three periods (P < 0.0001) of postoperative evaluation (1, 6 and 12 months) with a mean difference, obtained comparing preoperative and 12 months anal calibre, of 14.1 ± 2.72 (P < 0.0001). Statistically significant improvement in both Cleveland Clinic Incontinence Score and Obstructed Defaecation Syndrome Score was observed in all patients at 12 months. The overall success rate was 96% (48/50 patients).

CONCLUSION

The use of an MRF is a safe and suitable option for the treatment of moderate and severe AS. The possibility of tailoring the flap, based on the degree as well as the level of AS, is the key.

S3-Leitlinie: Analfissur

Die Analfissur ist eine der häufigsten Pathologien, welche sich dem Proktologen präsentiert. Entsprechend ist es wichtig, verlässliche Leitlinien dazu zu entwickeln. Die aktuelle Leitlinie wurde anhand eines systematischen Literaturreview von einem interdisziplinären Expertengremium diskutiert und verabschiedet.

Die akute Analfissur, soll auf Grund ihrer hohen Selbstheilungstendenz konservativ behandelt werden. Die Heilung wird am besten durch die Einnahme von Ballaststoff reicher Ernährung und einer medikamentösen Relaxation durch Kalziumkanal-Antagonisten (CCA) unterstützt. Zur Behandlung der chronischen Analfissur (CAF), soll den Patienten eine medikamentöse Behandlung zur „chemischen Sphinkterotomie“ mittels topischer CCA oder Nitraten angeboten werden. Bei Versagen dieser Therapie, kann zur Relaxation des inneren Analsphinkters Botulinumtoxin injiziert werden. Es ist belegt, dass die operativen Therapien effektiver sind. Deshalb kann eine Operation schon als primäre Therapie oder nach erfolgloser medikamentöser Therapie erfolgen. Die Fissurektomie, evtl. mit zusätzlicher Botulinumtoxin Injektion oder Lappendeckung, ist die Operation der Wahl. Obwohl die laterale Internus Sphinkterotomie die CAF effektiver heilt, bleibt diese wegen dem höheren Risiko für eine postoperative Stuhlinkontinenz eine Option für Einzelfälle.

Lateral Internal Partial Sphincterotomy Technique for Chronic Anal Fissure

Lateral internal sphincterotomy is used for the treatment of a chronic anal fissure. There is a lack of consensus for the amount of internal sphincter division necessary in the surgical treatment of an anal fissure. The anatomy of the anal sphincters and the subcutaneous partial sphincterotomy technique are presented with fresh anal canal specimen photographs. Lateral internal partial sphincterotomy is performed in 43 patients in the office between 2012 and 2013. The patients were questioned about their bowel habitus and any problem with anal control before the operation. Postoperatively, the patients were followed up by office visits and telephone calls at 1 week, 1 month, and 6 months. Data were collected prospectively. Forty of the patients (93 %) were pain free in 1 week after the operation. Further sphincter fibers were divided in three patients (7 %) because of the persistent pain. The most common complication was the sensation of burning (n = 9, 20.9 %) around the anus. Bleeding in three patients, itching around the anus in two patients, and incontinence to flatus in one patient were the other complications. None of the patients developed fecal incontinence in the follow-up period. Lateral internal partial sphincterotomy is a safe, effective, and reproducible technique for the management of chronic anal fissure pain.

Surgical Treatment of Anal Stenosis with Diamond Flap Anoplasty Performed in a Calibrated Fashion

BACKGROUND

Regarding anoplasty for anal stenosis, it is not clear to what extent the final anal caliber should be targeted.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to investigate the results of diamond-flap anoplasty performed in a calibrated manner for the treatment of severe anal stenosis due to a previous hemorrhoidectomy.

DESIGN AND SETTING

Prospectively prepared standard forms were evaluated retrospectively.

PATIENTS AND INTERVENTIONS

Anoplasty with unilateral or bilateral diamond flaps was performed for moderate or severe anal stenosis, targeting a final anal caliber of 25 to 26 mm. The demographic characteristics, causes of anal stenosis, number of previous surgeries, anal stenosis staging (Milsom and Mazier), anal calibers (millimeter), the Cleveland Clinic Incontinence Score, and the modified obstructed defecation syndrome Longo score were recorded on pre-prepared standard forms, as well as postoperative complications and the time of return to work.

RESULTS

From January 2011 to July 2013, 18 patients (12 males, 67%) with a median age of 39 years (range, 27-70) were treated. All of the patients had a history of previous hemorrhoidectomy. The number of previous corrective interventions was 2.1 ± 1.8 (range, 0-4), and 2 patients had a history of failed anoplasty. Five patients (28%) had moderate anal stenosis and 13 (72%) had severe anal stenosis. Preoperative, intraoperative, and 12-month postoperative anal calibration values were 9 ± 3 mm (range, 5-15), 25 ± 0.75 mm (range, 24-26), and 25 ± 1 mm (range, 23-27) (p < 0.0001, for immediate postoperative and 12-month postoperative anal calibers compared with the intraoperative). Preoperative and 12-month postoperative Cleveland Clinic Incontinence Scores were 0.83 ± 1.15 (range, 0-4) and 0.39 ± 0.70 (range, 0-2) (p = 1.0). The clinical success rate was 88.9%. No severe postoperative complications were observed.

LIMITATIONS

This study was limited because it was a single-armed, retrospective analysis of prospectively designed data.

CONCLUSION

Diamond-flap anoplasty performed in a standardized and calibrated manner is a highly successful method for the treatment of anal stenosis caused by previous hemorrhoidectomy.

How much of the internal sphincter may be divided during lateral sphincterotomy for chronic anal fissure in women? Morphologic and functional evaluation after sphincterotomy

BACKGROUND

Sphincterotomy is used to treat chronic anal fissure, but the length of the sphincterotomy is associated with incontinence.

OBJECTIVE

We used 3-dimensional anal ultrasonography to determine the proportion of the internal anal sphincter that may be divided during lateral internal sphincterotomy in women without predisposing them to a high risk of fecal incontinence.

DESIGN AND SETTING

This was a prospective, observational cohort study conducted at a tertiary-care hospital.

PATIENTS

Women treated for chronic anal fissure with high anal resting pressure and no symptoms of fecal incontinence were selected. Asymptomatic women recruited from different departments of the same hospital served as controls to provide reference values for anal canal measurements.

INTERVENTION

Patients underwent a standardized technique of lateral internal sphincterotomy.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Three-dimensional ultrasonography was used to measure sphincter lengths. Continence was assessed with the Cleveland Clinic Florida (Wexner) score. The relationship between the extent of the surgically divided portion of the internal anal sphincter and the continence score was evaluated.

RESULTS

Successful healing was achieved in all patients within 2 months. Follow-up continence scores were significantly correlated with the extent of sphincter division. The proportion of patients with a continence score of 0 was significantly greater in patients in whom sphincter division was less than 25% in comparison with patients with a division of 25% or more. Anal canal and sphincter lengths in patients after sphincterotomy did not significantly differ from those in asymptomatic women.

LIMITATIONS

The study is limited by its nonrandomized nature and the lack of preoperative ultrasound assessment.

CONCLUSIONS

Based on data from this study, the safe extent of division is less than 25% of the total sphincter length, which in women corresponds to less than 1 cm.

Long-term continence disturbance after lateral internal sphincterotomy for chronic anal fissure: a systematic review and meta-analysis

AIM

A systematic review was carried out to analyse continence at 2 years or more after lateral internal sphincterotomy (LIS) for chronic anal fissure (CAF).

METHOD

PubMed, MEDLINE, Scopus, Embase, Ovid, SCI, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) and Google Scholar were used to search the literature from 1969-2012 for studies reporting a follow-up of more than 2 years after LIS for CAF. The primary outcome parameter analysed was continence. The secondary outcome parameters included success rate, recurrence, incidence of postoperative abscess and fistula formation and patient satisfaction.

RESULTS

Of 324 studies screened, 22 (n = 4512) were included. The mean follow-up period ranged from 24-124 months. The overall continence disturbance rate was 14% (95% CI 0.09-0.2). Weighted analysis showed flatus incontinence in 9% (95% CI 0.04-0.16), soilage/seepage in 6% (95% CI 0.03-0.1), accidental defaecation in 0.91% (95% CI 0.003-0.02), incontinence to liquid stool in 0.67% (95% CI 0.001-0.02) and incontinence to solid stool in 0.83% (95% CI 0.003-0.02) of patients.

CONCLUSION

The long-term risk of continence disturbance after lateral internal sphincterotomy is significant. Randomized controlled trials with a long follow-up are needed to substantiate these findings and to redefine its role in the treatment of chronic anal fissure.

Operative procedures for fissure in ano

BACKGROUND

Reports of direct comparisons between operative techniques for anal fissure are variable in their results. These reports are either subject to selection bias (in non-randomized studies) or observer bias (in all studies) or have inadequate numbers of patients enrolled to answer the question of efficacy.

OBJECTIVES

To determine the best technique for fissure surgery.

SEARCH METHODS

The Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials and MEDLINE (1965-2011), Medline (Pubmed) and Embase were searched March to 2011. The list of cited references in all included reports and several study authors also were helpful in finding additional comparative studies.A total of four new trials were included in this update of the review.

SELECTION CRITERIA

All reports in which there was a direct comparison between at least two operative techniques were reviewed and when more than one report existed for any given pair, that report was included. All studies must also be randomised. If crude data were not presented in the report, the authors were contacted and crude data obtained.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

The two most commonly used end points in all reported studies were treatment failure and post-operative incontinence both to flatus and faeces. These are the only two endpoints included in the meta-analysis.

MAIN RESULTS

Four trials, encompassing 406 patients were included in this update, with now a total of 2056 patients in the review from 27 studies that describe and analyze 13 different operative procedures. These operative techniques used by these studies include closed lateral sphincterotomy, open lateral internal sphincterotomy, anal stretch, balloon dilation, wound closure, perineoplasty, length of sphincterotomy and fissurectomy. Two new procedures in the update, similar to anal stretch were described- sphincterolysis and controlled intermittent anal dilatation. A new comparison was described, comparing the effects of unilateral internal sphincterotomy and bilateral internal sphincterotomy.Manual Anal stretch has a higher risk of fissure persistence than internal sphincterotomy and also a significantly higher risk of minor incontinence than sphincterotomy. The combined analyses of open versus closed partial lateral internal sphincterotomy show little difference between the two procedures both in fissure persistence and risk of incontinence Unilateral internal sphincterotomy was shown to be more likely to result in treatment failure compared to bilateral internal sphincterotomy, but there is no significant difference in the risk of incontinence.Sphincterotomy was less likely to result in treatment failure when compared to fissurectomy, but there was no significant difference when considering post-operative incontinence.When comparing sphincterotomy to sphincterolysis, there was no significant difference between the two procedures both in treatment failure and risk of incontinence; the same is the case when comparing sphincterotomy with controlled anal dilation.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

Manual anal stretch should probably be abandoned in the treatment of chronic anal fissure in adults. For those patients requiring surgery for anal fissure, open and closed partial lateral internal sphincterotomy appear to be equally efficacious. More data are needed to assess the effectiveness of posterior internal sphincterotomy, anterior levatorplasty, wound suture or papilla excision. Bilateral internal sphincterotomy shows promise, but needs further research into its efficacy.

Anal fissure

Anal fissure is a common problem, vexing to both patients and physicians. The historical mainstay of therapy has been some method of partial division of the internal anal sphincter with the serious potential complication of fecal incontinence. Nonsurgical treatment methods were therefore pursued, producing healing rates less than that seen after surgical therapy but none of the morbidity of surgery. This article summarizes accepted methods of modern medical and surgical therapy for anal fissure and offers a rationale for treatment type selection.

Conservative and surgical treatment of chronic anal fissure: prospective longer term results

INTRODUCTION

The aim of this prospective study was to assess the efficacy of different medical treatments and surgery in the treatment of chronic anal fissure (CAF).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

From January 2004 to March 2009, 311 patients with typical CAF completed the study. All patients were initially treated with 0.2% nitroglycerin ointment (GTN) or anal dilators (DIL) for 8 weeks. If no improvement was observed after 8 weeks, the patients were assigned to the other treatment or a combination of the two. Persisting symptoms after 12 weeks or recurrence were indications for either botulinum toxin injection into the internal sphincter and fissurectomy or lateral internal sphincterotomy (LIS). During the follow-up (29 +/- 16 months), healing rates, symptoms, incontinence scores, and therapy adverse effects were prospectively recorded.

RESULTS

Overall healing rates were 64.6% and 94% after GTN/DIL or BTX/LIS. Healing rate after GTN or DIL after 12 weeks course were 54.5% and 61.5%, respectively. Fifty-four patients (17.4%) responded to further medical therapy. One hundred two patients (32.8%) underwent BTX or LIS. Healing rate after BTX was 83.3% and overall healing after LIS group was 98.7% with no definitive incontinence.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, although LIS is far more effective than medical treatments, BTX injection/fissurectomy as first line treatment may significantly increase the healing rate while avoiding any risk of incontinence.

Comparative study of the house advancement flap, rhomboid flap, and y-v anoplasty in treatment of anal stenosis: a prospective randomized study

PURPOSE

Anal stenosis represents a technical challenge for surgical management. We compared the effects of house flap, rhomboid flap, and Y-V anoplasty procedures in a randomized study in patients with anal stenosis.

METHODS

Consecutive patients treated for anal stenosis at our institution were evaluated for inclusion. Participants were randomly allocated to receive house flap, rhomboid flap, or Y-V anoplasty. Follow-up visits were after 1 week, 1 month, 6 months, and 1 year. Study variables included caliber of the anal canal (measured with a conical calibrator), clinical improvement, patient satisfaction (visual analog scale), incontinence (Pescatori incontinence scale), and quality of life (GI Quality of Life Inventory).

RESULTS

: Sixty patients with anal stenosis were randomized and completed the study. Operative time was 62 +/- 10 minutes for house flap, 44 +/- 13 minutes for rhomboid flap, and 35 +/- 9 minutes for Y-V anoplasty (P = .042). At 1 year, anal caliber was 23.9 +/- 2.33 mm for house flap, 18.1 +/- 2.05 mm for rhomboid flap, and 16.4 +/- 2.05 mm for Y-V anoplasty (P = .04), with a highly significant increase for the house flap (P = .001). The groups differed significantly regarding clinical improvement at 1 month (95% for house flap, 80% for rhomboid flap, and 65% for Y-V anoplasty, P = .01) and differences persisted at 1 year. Significant differences were seen among groups at 1 year in GI Quality of Life Inventory scores (P = .03), with significant improvement only for the house flap (P = .01).

CONCLUSION

Anal stenosis can be effectively managed with the house flap procedure, with the sole disadvantage of longer operative time. Although all 3 procedures are simple and easy to perform, the house flap appears to produce the greatest clinical improvement, patient satisfaction, and improvement in quality of life, with the fewest complications.

Operative procedures for fissure in ano

BACKGROUND

Operative techniques commonly used for fissure in ano include: anal stretch, open lateral sphincterotomy, closed lateral sphincterotomy, posterior midline sphincterotomy and to a lesser extent dermal flap coverage of the fissure. Reports of direct comparisons between operative techniques for anal fissure are variable in their results. These reports are either subject to selection bias (in non-randomized studies) or observer bias (in all studies) or have inadequate numbers of patients enrolled to answer the question of efficacy.

OBJECTIVES

To determine the best technique for fissure surgery.

SEARCH STRATEGY

The Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials and MEDLINE (1965-2008), Medline (Pubmed) and Embase were searched July 2008. The list of cited references in all included reports and several study authors also were helpful in finding additional comparative studies.A total of five new trials were included in this version of the review.

SELECTION CRITERIA

All reports in which there was a direct comparison between at least two operative techniques were reviewed and when more than one report existed for any given pair, that report was included. If crude data were not presented in the report, the authors were contacted and crude data obtained.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

The two most commonly used end points in all reported studies were persistence of the fissure and post operative incontinence of flatus. These are the only two endpoints included in the meta-analysis.

MAIN RESULTS

Twenty-four trials encompassing 3475 patients are included in this review . Anal stretch has a higher risk of fissure persistence than internal sphincterotomy and also a significantly higher risk of minor incontinence than sphincterotomy. The combined results of open versus closed partial lateral internal sphincterotomy show little difference between the two procedures both in fissure persistence and risk of incontinence.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

Anal stretch and posterior midline internal sphincterotomy should probably be abandoned in the treatment of chronic anal fissure in adults. For those patients requiring surgery for anal fissure, open and closed partial lateral internal sphincterotomy appear to be equally efficacious. More data are needed to assess the effectiveness of posterior internal sphincterotomy, anterior levatorplasty, wound suture or papilla excision.

Results of lateral internal sphincterotomy with open technique for chronic anal fissure: evaluation of complications, symptom relief, and incontinence with long-term follow-up

The aim of this study is to investigate the results of open lateral internal sphincterotomy (LIS) and the recurrence and incontinence rate, to perform a long-term assessment of incontinence and to assess complications and relief of symptoms. This clinical prospective study was undertaken in patients undergoing open LIS. One hundred and twenty-nine patients entered the study. Mean duration of pain relief was 1.2 +/- 0.4 days and mean time before defecation without pain was 1.9 +/- 1.0 days. Complication rate was 41.8%. We found that urine retention was seen frequently in males. We demonstrated that open LIS up to the dentate line does not have a higher rate of incontinence. Incontinence after LIS was only to flatus and two-thirds of these resolved in 6 weeks. No patient showed improvement of incontinence after 6 weeks.

Comparison of controlled-intermittent anal dilatation and lateral internal sphincterotomy in the treatment of chronic anal fissures: a prospective, randomized study

AIM

The results of controlled-intermittent anal dilatation (CIAD) or lateral internal sphincterotomy (LIS) in the treatment of chronic anal fissures are presented.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Forty patients who were randomized to two groups underwent CIAD or a LIS. The pre- and post-operative mean anal canal resting pressures (MACRPs) and symptoms were recorded and the results were compared.

RESULTS

Two months post-operatively, 18 patients in the CIAD group and 17 patients in the LIS group had healed completely, and had no anal incontinence or other complications. The post-operative improvement in pain, bleeding, and constipation did not differ significantly between the two groups. In the CIAD and LIS groups, the pre-operative MACRPs were 89.7+/-16.5 and 87.6+/-12.3 mmHg, respectively; 2 months post-operatively, the MACRPs had significantly decreased to 76.9+/-13.7 and 78.1+/-11.3 mmHg in the CIAD and LIS groups, respectively. No statistical difference existed in the pre- or post-treatment MACRPs between the groups.

CONCLUSION

CIAD applied with a standardized technique reduced anal canal resting pressure and provided symptomatic healing that was equivalent to a LIS. Since there were no findings of incontinence, or situations which resulted in sphincter damage, we conclude that CIAD is suitable for patients with chronic anal fissures because it is less invasive than LIS, with equivalent efficacy and safety. In addition, the CIAD method may be an alternative procedure in older and multiparous women who has a higher risk of incontinence.

Botulinum toxin for recurrent anal fissure following lateral internal sphincterotomy

BACKGROUND

The aim of the study was to evaluate the efficacy of botulinum toxin injection in the treatment of recurrent anal fissure following lateral internal sphincterotomy.

METHODS

Eighty patients were treated with botulinum toxin (30 units Botox or 90 units Dysport), injected into two sites of the internal sphincter. Clinical and manometric results were recorded before and after treatment. If symptoms persisted at 2 months, the examiners could decide to re-treat the patient. The same preparation of serotype A of botulinum neurotoxin was used for reinjection.

RESULTS

One month after injection there was complete healing in 54 patients (68 per cent). Eight patients (10 per cent) reported mild incontinence of flatus that had disappeared spontaneously within 2 months. At 2 months, 59 patients (74 per cent) had a healing scar. After reinjection, 11 of 21 re-treated patients reported mild incontinence to flatus that lasted for a few weeks and resolved spontaneously. Anorectal manometry at 1 month demonstrated a significant reduction in both resting anal pressure and maximum voluntary squeeze pressure (P < 0.001). There were no relapses during a mean value of 57.9 months of follow-up.

CONCLUSION

Botulinum toxin is efficacious in patients with recurrent anal fissure following lateral internal sphincterotomy.

Fine-tuning of the extent of lateral internal sphincterotomy: spasm-controlled vs. up to the fissure apex

PURPOSE

This study was designed to compare the results of controlled lateral internal sphincterotomy by using anal calibrators with those of sphincterotomy up to the fissure apex in a randomized, prospective fashion.

METHODS

In the fissure apex group, sphincterotomy was extended to the level of the fissure apex, and in the spasm-controlled group, serial small sphincterotomies and anal caliber measurements followed until an anal caliber of 30 mm was obtained.

RESULTS

The preoperative anal caliber was 24 +/- 1.9 (range, 20-28) mm and 24.9 +/- 2.44 (range, 19-28) mm in the spasm-controlled and fissure apex groups, respectively (P = 0.127). Postoperatively, the spasm-controlled group had a mean anal caliber of 31.5 +/- 1.28 (range, 30-32) mm, and the fissure apex group had 32.5 +/- 2.33 (range, 25-37) mm (P = 0.035). In the fissure apex group, a significant negative correlation was determined between the postoperative anal caliber and time of relief of pain (r = -0.568, P = 0.001). The early (7 and 28 days) postoperative anal incontinence scores were significantly higher in the fissure apex group (P = 0.002, P < 0.0001, respectively). A significant positive correlation between the anal caliber measurements and anal incontinence scores at 28 days and 2 months also was noted in the fissure apex group (r = 0.406, P = 0.023; and r = 0.364, P = 0.044).

CONCLUSIONS

Controlled sphincterotomy provided a faster relief of pain, and it was associated with a lower rate of early postoperative disturbance of continence and an insignificantly lower rate of treatment failure compared with sphincterotomy up to the fissure apex.

Medical and surgical treatment of chronic anal fissure: a prospective study

The aim of this prospective study was to assess the efficacy of different medical treatments and surgery in the treatment of chronic anal fissure (CAF). From 1/04 to 09/06, 156 patients with typical CAF completed the study. All patients were treated with 0.2% nitroglycerin ointment (GTN) or anal dilators (DIL) for 8 weeks. If no improvement was observed after 8 weeks, patient was assigned to the other treatment or a combination of the two. Persisting symptoms after 12 weeks or recurrence were indications for either botulinum toxin injection into the internal sphincter and fissurectomy or lateral internal sphincterotomy (LIS). During the follow-up (19 +/- 8 months), healing rates, symptoms, incontinence scores, and therapy adverse effects were prospectively recorded. Overall healing rates were 65.3 and 96.3% after GTN/DIL or BTX/LIS. Healing rate after GTN or DIL were 39.8 and 46%, respectively. Thirty-six patients (23.1%) responded to further medical therapy. Fifty-four patients (34.6%) underwent BTX or LIS. Healing rate after BTX was 81.8%. LIS group showed a 100% healing rate with no morbidity and postoperative incontinence. In conclusion, although LIS is far more effective than medical treatments, BTX injection/fissurectomy as first line treatment may significantly increase the healing rate while avoiding any risk of incontinence.

A Study of Fecal Incontinence in Patients with Chronic Anal Fissure: Prospective, Randomized, Controlled Trial of the Extent of Internal Anal Sphincter Division During Lateral Sphincterotomy

BACKGROUND

Troublesome fecal incontinence following a lateral internal sphincterotomy is often attributed to faulty surgical technique. However, it may be associated with coexisting occult sphincter defects. Whether continence is related to the extent of sphincterotomy remains debatable. The aim of the study is to identify fecal incontinence related to chronic anal fissure before and after lateral internal sphincterotomy and its relationship to the extent of internal anal sphincter division.

METHODS

One hundred eight patients with chronic anal fissure were prospectively studied before and after lateral internal sphincterotomy. A questionnaire was completed for each patient before and after surgery with regard to any degree of fecal incontinence. Fecal incontinence severity index was assessed using the Cleveland Clinic Incontinence Score. The patients with preoperative perfect continence were randomized into two groups (46 patients in each group): Group 1 underwent traditional lateral internal sphincterotomy (up to the dentate line) and Group 2 were underwent a conservative internal anal sphincterotomy (up to the height of the fissure apex or just below it).

RESULTS

Minor degrees of incontinence were present before surgery in 16 patients (14.8%). Results of the randomized trial revealed that temporary postoperative incontinence was newly developed in 6/92 of patients (6.52 %) who did not have it before surgery. Five of the six (10.86%) were in Group 1 one (2.17%) was in Group 2 (p = 0.039). Persistent incontinence occurred in two in Group 1 (4.35%). All of them were females. All have had a history of one or more vaginal deliveries.

CONCLUSION

A mild degree of fecal incontinence may be associated with chronic anal fissure at presentation rather than as a result of internal sphincterotomy. Troublesome fecal incontinence after lateral internal sphincterotomy is uncommon. Sphincterotomy up to the dentate line provided faster pain relief and faster anal fissure healing, but it was associated with a significant postoperative alteration in fecal incontinence than was sphincterotomy up to the fissure apex. Care should be exercised in female patients with a history of previous obstetric trauma, as internal anal sphincter division may further compromise sphincter function.

Internal anal sphincterolysis for chronic anal fissure: a prospective, clinical, and manometric study

BACKGROUND

The author proposes a technique of finger fragmentation of internal anal sphincter fibers to relieve anal sphincter spasm in patients with chronic anal fissures. This prospective study evaluates the clinical and functional outcome in a group of patients with chronic anal fissures.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Forty-five patients suffering from chronic anal fissure underwent the procedure termed "sphincterolysis." Anal manometry was performed prior to and at 6 and 24 months after treatment. Anal incontinence was evaluated by means of a continence score. Patients were asked to rate the level of satisfaction at the last follow-up.

RESULTS

Forty-four patients completed the study. Symptom control was achieved in 7. 4 +/- 3 days in 91% patients whose fissures had healed when examined 4 weeks after the procedure. In 38 of these patients, pain was relieved at the time of first postoperative defecation. Recurrence of fissure was observed in 1 patient at the 6-month follow-up. Three patients had minor continence disturbances, which resolved within 6 months. Anal manometry before and after the procedure showed a significant reduction in mean resting pressure (MRP) (P < .001), while the maximum squeeze pressure before and after the treatment did not reach a statistically significant reduction. As regards satisfaction grading, 79.5% of patients were highly satisfied with the procedure, while another 16% of patients rated the procedure as good.

CONCLUSION

Internal anal sphincterolysis seems to be an effective, safe and easy procedure, which decreases anal resting pressure and achieves good symptom control with high patient satisfaction.

Randomized, prospective trial comparing 0.25 percent glycerin trinitrate ointment and anal cryothermal dilators only with 0.25 percent glycerin trinitrate ointment and only with anal cryothermal dilators in the treatment of chronic anal fissure: a two-year follow-up

PURPOSE

The objective of this study was to compare the efficacy of 0.25 percent glycerin trinitrate ointment in association with cryothermal anal dilators with 0.25 percent glycerin trinitrate ointment only and cryothermal anal dilators only.

METHODS

A total of 48 patients suffering from chronic anal fissure were enrolled in this prospective, randomized study between January 2002 and December 2003: Group A, 16 patients were treated with 0.25 percent glycerin trinitrate ointment and also used cryothermal anal dilators; Group B, 16 patients were treated with 0.25 percent glycerin trinitrate ointment only; Group C, 16 patients were treated with cryothermal anal dilator use only. All patients in each group followed the specified treatment protocol for six weeks.

RESULTS

After seven weeks of treatment, the symptoms complained of were resolved in 15 patients (93.7 percent) in Group A, 12 patients (75 percent) in Group B, and 12 patients (78 percent) in Group C. After two years of follow-up, 14 patients (87.5 percent) in Group A, 9 patients (56.2 percent) in Group B, and 10 patients (62.5 percent) in Group C presented no recurrence of symptoms. No patient in any group reported serious side effects of the treatment proposed, and treatment did not have to be withdrawn in any of the randomized patients. No episodes of anal incontinence of gas or feces were recorded in the patients who had used the anal dilators.

CONCLUSIONS

The combined treatment for chronic anal fissure proved to be efficacious, safe, and with statistically significant better results than the other treatments analyzed.

Controversies in the treatment of common anal problems

Treating common benign anal diseases has evolved towards more outpatient procedures with better outcome. However, minimizing post-procedure morbidities such as pain and the avoidance incontinence remain the most significant concerns. We introduce some controversies and highlight the developments in current surgical practice for the treatment of common anal problems.

Operative procedures for fissure in ano

BACKGROUND

Operative techniques commonly used for fissure in ano include: anal stretch, open lateral sphincterotomy, closed lateral sphincterotomy, posterior midline sphincterotomy and to a lesser extent dermal flap coverage of the fissure. Reports of direct comparisons between operative techniques for anal fissure are variable in their results. These reports are either subject to selection bias (in non-randomized studies) or observer bias (in all studies) or have inadequate numbers of patients enrolled to answer the question of efficacy.

OBJECTIVES

To determine the best technique for fissure surgery.

SEARCH STRATEGY

The Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials and MEDLINE (1965-2005) were searched. The list of cited references in all included reports and several study authors also were helpful in finding additional comparative studies.

SELECTION CRITERIA

All reports in which there was a direct comparison between at least two operative techniques were reviewed and when more than one report existed for any given pair, that report was included. If crude data were not presented in the report, the authors were contacted and crude data obtained.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

The two most commonly used end points in all reported studies were persistence of the fissure and post operative incontinence of flatus. These are the only two endpoints included in the meta-analysis.

MAIN RESULTS

Twenty-four trials encompassing 3475 patients are included in this review . Anal stretch has a higher risk of fissure persistence than internal sphincterotomy and also a significantly higher risk of minor incontinence than sphincterotomy. The combined results of open versus closed partial lateral internal sphincterotomy show little difference between the two procedures both in fissure persistence and risk of incontinence.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

Anal stretch and posterior midline internal sphincterotomy should probably be abandoned in the treatment of chronic anal fissure in adults. For those patients requiring surgery for anal fissure, open and closed partial lateral internal sphincterotomy appear to be equally efficacious. More data are needed to assess the effectiveness of posterior internal sphincterotomy, anterior levatorplasty, wound suture or papilla excision.