Abstract

Between the years 1985-1991, 179 cases of anal fissure had lateral internal sphincterotomy (L.I.S.) in our clinic. Among these, 147 patients had left L.I.S. under general anaesthesia and32 patients had right L.I.S. with local anaesthesia. The result of one year follow-up showed 1.6% gas leakage, 1.6% fluid leakage and 6.1% recurrence. Our preference criteria of this procedure against other treatment methods of anal fissure are; relief of pain immediately after surgery, low rates of signs of incontinence and recurrence, complete recovery time is 3 to 4 weeks, patients return back to full activity in 7days, and the procedure can be performed with local anaesthesia.