Outcome of bilateral versus unilateral lateral internal sphincterotomy for chronic anal fissures

Abstract

Background: Gold standard treatment for chronic anal fissure is lateral internal sphincterotomy (LIS) which is usually performed at a single location. This randomized study compares bilateral to unilateral lateral internal sphincterotomy.Methods: Patients were randomized into two equal groups (64 each) to undergo either bilateral (Group A) or unilateral (Group B) open lateral internal sphincterotomy (LIS). Comparative study was done in terms of symptomatic relief of pain, incontinence, complete healing of fissure, and recurrence. Chi-square test was used as a test of significance.Results: Both groups had comparable demographic and clinical characteristics. Mean operative time for was longer for bilateral LIS (P-value <0.05). Mean pain score (VAS) in bilateral LIS group was lower in early post-operative period (P-value <0.05). At the end of 4th week 65.6% of patients in bilateral LIS group and 56.25% of patients in unilateral LIS group had completely healed fissures (P-value <0.05). Mean Wexner score for incontinence was comparable, while significant decrease in resting anal pressure was noted at 1 month in BLIS group. There was one recurrence in unilateral LIS group.Conclusions: Bilateral LIS resulted in better outcome in terms of early pain relief, early reduction of anal pressures, complete healing rate in 4 weeks with no recurrence. It does not increase the risk of incontinence and has better patients’ satisfaction as compared to unilateral LIS.