title: Segmental internal sphincterotomy--a new technique for treatment of chronic anal fissure.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Lateral internal sphincterotomy is an effective treatment for fissure in ano but carries a definite risk of incontinence. In trial to avoid this complication, segmental lateral internal sphincterotomy was used to treat chronic anal fissures.
  
  
  METHODS
  The lateral internal sphincterotomy was done in two parts and at different planes.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study was conducted in the General Surgery Department, Zagazig University Hospital, Egypt.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study was undertaken on 50 patients (43 men and seven women, with mean age of 37.3 years) with chronic fissure in ano from January 2009 to December 2010.
  
  
  METHODS
  Under general or local anesthesia, lateral internal sphincterotomy was done in two segments under direct vision. Preoperative and postoperative anal manometry study was recorded.
  
  
  METHODS
  Postoperative course with early and long-term results were recorded. Mean follow-up was 18.5 months (ranging from 6 to 24 months).
  
  
  RESULTS
  In 31 patients, the technique was done under general anesthesia and the remainder under local anesthesia. The fissures and anal wounds were healed within 4 weeks. Pain was significantly reduced in all patients at day 1 postoperative. Early complications included mild hematoma and urine retention in one male patient (2%). No transient or any persistent degree of incontinence occurred in these patients group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Segmental lateral internal sphincterotomy is a safe, easy, and effective procedure and not associated with risk of incontinence for the treatment of chronic anal fissure.
authors.affiliation: General Surgery Department, Faculty of Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, Egypt. lasheenahmed@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Ahmed E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Lasheen
authors.forename: Mansour M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Morsy
authors.forename: Alaa A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Fiad
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001003:Anal Canal / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D013505:Digestive System Surgical Procedures / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004534:Egypt; D005260:Female; D005401:Fissure in Ano / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult