title: Advancement flap in the management of chronic anal fissure: a prospective study.
abstract: Lateral internal sphincterotomy is the surgical treatment of choice of chronic anal fissure after failure of conservative measures. Several randomized trials identified an overall risk of incontinence of 10 % mostly for flatus. Fissurectomy is the most commonly used procedure to preserve the integrity of the anal sphincters. However, a possible complication is keyhole defect that may lead to faecal soiling. In this study, chronic anal fissure (CAF) was treated by fissurectomy and anal advancement flap to preserve the anatomo-functional integrity of sphincters and to reduce healing time and the risk of anal stenosis. In patients with hypertonia, surgical treatment was combined with chemical sphincterotomy by injection of botulinum toxin to enhance tissue perfusion. Forty eight patients with CAF underwent fissurectomy and anal advancement flap. In 22 subjects with hypertonia of the internal anal sphincter, intrasphincter injection of 30 UI of botulinum toxin at the completion of the surgical operation was used. All patients were followed up to 24 months. Since the first defecation, the intensity and duration of pain were significantly reduced. Two patients had urinary retention, five had infections and three had partial breakdowns. No anal stenosis, keyhole deformity or necrosis flap was recorded. At the 24 months follow-up visit, anal incontinence was similar to those detected preoperatively. Only four recurrences were detected at 18 and 20 months. After medical treatment failure, fissurectomy with advancement flap is a valid sphincter-conserving procedure for treatment of anterior or posterior CAF, regardless of hypertonia of the internal anal sphincter.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgical and Oncologic Science, University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy.
authors.forename: Rosalia
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Patti
authors.forename: Giovanni
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Guercio
authors.forename: Valentina
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Territo
authors.forename: Paolo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Aiello
authors.forename: Giuseppe Livio
authors.initials: GL
authors.lastname: Angelo
authors.forename: Gaetano
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Di Vita
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D019274:Botulinum Toxins, Type A / Q000008:administration & dosage; D002908:Chronic Disease; D013505:Digestive System Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D005401:Fissure in Ano / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007273:Injections, Intramuscular; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009465:Neuromuscular Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D011446:Prospective Studies; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods; D020127:Recovery of Function; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D009465:Neuromuscular Agents; D019274:Botulinum Toxins, Type A