Arshad Zafar.
Anal dilatation for chronic Anal Fissures.
Professional Med J Jan ;8(4):445-8.

Fifty patients with idiopathic chronic anal fissure admitted in surgical B unit of Ayub Teaching Hospital Abbottabad over a period of 3 years had anal dilatation under general anesthesia. There were 24 male and 26 female patients. The ages ranged from 20 to 48 years. Mean hospital stay was 1.5 days. The follow up ranged from 8 to 12 months. There was rapid and effective relief of pain following the operation. No procedure related serious complications were seen. There was transient and minimal disturbance of continence. Complete healing of fissure occurred and no recurrence was observed. It is observed that anal dilatation should be the initial treatment of choice for chronic anal fissures. Lateral sphincterotomy should be reserved for cases, which do not respond to anal dilatation.

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