PERFORMING INTERNAL SPHINCTEROTOMY WITH OTHER ANORECTAL PROCEDURES

PURPOSE: A study was conducted to compare the outcome of combined anor ectal procedures involving lateral internal sphincterotomy with latera l internal sphincterotomy alone to determine if the former results in increased complications. METHODS: Complications and anal function of 5 7 patients who underwent lateral internal sphincterotomy for chronic a nal fissure in conjunction with another anorectal procedure (combined group) between April 1989 and June 1992 were compared with 57 other ag e- and sex-matched patients who underwent lateral internal sphincterot omy alone (control group). RESULTS: There was no statistical differenc e in the incidence of incontinence in the combined group (8.7 percent) and the control group (7 percent). None of the cases in either group had permanent incontinence. There were also no statistical differences in the incidence of postoperative bleeding, pruritus ani, mucus disch arge, abscess formation, fistulation, and rates of fissure recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: Additional anorectal procedures performed at the same ti me as internal sphincterotomy do not increase the incidence of postope rative complications.