title: Lateral sphincterotomy compared with anal advancement flap for chronic anal fissure.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study was designed to assess differences between lateral internal anal sphincterotomy and anal advancement flap for chronic anal fissure.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty patients with chronic anal fissure were prospectively studied. Patients randomized to the sphincterotomy group (n = 20; median age, 34 (range, 16-61) years) underwent lateral internal anal sphincterotomy. Patients randomized to the flap group (n = 20; median age, 32 (range, 20-44) years) had an anal advancement flap.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All fissures in the sphincterotomy group healed following surgery compared with three patients that failed to heal in the flap group (P = 0.12). No patient in either group was incontinent to any degree following surgery. Patient satisfaction with surgery was similar in both groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Anal advancement flap is an alternative to lateral sphincterotomy for chronic anal fissure.
authors: Department of Colorectal Surgery, Singapore General Hospital.
authors: A F
authors: AF
authors: Leong
authors: F
authors: F
authors: Seow-Choen
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001003:Anal Canal / Q000601:surgery; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D005401:Fissure in Ano / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013524:Surgical Flaps