Scanner-Assisted CO2 Laser Fissurectomy: A Pilot Study

Introduction: Surgery for chronic anal fissure is challenging for every proctologist. Solving the pain by guaranteeing rapid and effective healing is the objective, but what is the price to pay today in functional terms? Though this result is nowadays partially achievable through interventions that include the execution of an internal sphincterotomy among the procedures, it is necessary to underline the high rate of patients who can present faecal incontinence. The aim of this study is to explore the effectiveness of scanner-assisted CO2 laser fissurectomy.Methods: From April 2021 to September 2021, all consecutive patients who affected by chronic anal fissure suitable for surgery, meeting the inclusion and exclusion criteria, were evaluated. All planned data were recorded before surgery, then at 24 h, 1 week, and 1 month follow-up. A scanner-assisted CO2 laser was used in this study to achieve a smooth and dried wound with a minimal tissue thermal damage, to ensure good postsurgical pain control, rapid and functional, elastic and stable healing, and to prevent potential relapses. Paracetamol 1 g every 8 h was prescribed for the first 24 h and then continued according to each patient's need. Ketorolac 15 mg was prescribed as rescue.Results: Mean pain intensity ≤3, considered as the principal endpoint, was recorded in 26 out of the 29 patients who enrolled in the study with a final success rate of 89.7% at 1-month follow-up. Pain and anal itching showed a statistically significant reduction while bleeding, burning, and maximum pain, and REALIS score showed a reduction too at the end of the follow-up period. Reepithelisation proved to be extremely fast and effective: 22 of 29 (75.9%) showed a complete healing and 5 showed a partial reepithelisation at 1-month follow-up.Discussion: Outcomes of this study showed that it is undoubtedly necessary to change the surgical approach in case of anal fissure. The internal sphincterotomy procedure must be most of all questioned, where the availability of cutting-edge technological tools must be avoided and offered only in selected cases. Scanner-assisted CO2 laser showed great results in terms of pain control and wound healing, secondary to an extremely precise ablation, vaporisation, and debridement procedures with minimal lateral thermal damage.

EARLY OUTCOME OF LASER INTERNAL SPHINCTEROTOMY VERSUSOPEN INTERNAL SPHINCTEROTOMY IN THE TREATMENT OF ANAL FISSURES

INTRODUCTION : Fissure-in-Ano is one of the common and most painful anorectal conditions encountered in surgical practice. Inspite of several conservative treatment options, surgical treatment in the form of Lateral Internal Spincterotomy (LIS) remains the gold standard of treatment for anal ssure. However we compare Laser lateral internal sphincterotomy with Open lateral internal Sphincterotomy for better postoperative pain relief and lesser hospital stay. AIM: Early outcome of laser lateral internal Sphincterotomy versus open lateral internal sphincterotomy in the treatment of anal ssures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was conducted on 50 cases of Laser lateral internal sphincterotomy compare with 50 cases of Open lateral internal sphincterotomy in Maharani Laxmi Bai Medical College, Jhansi between January 2020 to July 2021. RESULTS:In our study in Group A 6% were in 16-20 years, 52% in 21-30 years, 20% in 31-40 years, 20% in 41-50 years and 2% 51-60% years and Group B 2% in 16-20 years, 34% in 21-30 years, 32% in 31-40 years, 18% 41-50%, 10% in 51-60 and 4% in >60. Group A mean postoperative VAS pain score in 6 hours 5.12±0,328, 12 hours 4.32±0.768, 24 hours 3.74±0.777, 36 hours 2.76±1.379 and 48 hours 2.3±1.418. In Group B mean postoperative VAS pain score in 6 hours 5.2±0.452, 12 hours 2.7±1.741, 24 hours 1.76±1.451, 36 hours 0.58±0.971 and 48 hours 0.28±0.671. Group A 44% presented with Perianal swelling, 42% Prutis Ani and 40% atus incontinence. In Group B 6% presented with amount of blood loss 6%, 18% Perianal swelling, 6% infection, 18% atus incontinence. The mean postoperative pain score was signicantly less in Group B at 12 to 48 hours. Group A mean hospital stay was 5.02±1.237 days and in Group B 2.02±0.141 days. It was signicantly less in Group B. CONCLUSION: Laser lateral Internal Spincterotomy is better than open Lateral Internal Spincterotomy with respect to less postoperative pain and lesser hospital stay and also less postoperative complications in the treatment of anal ssure.

Patients with anal fistula due to chronic anal fissure: prevelance and treatment

Background: The association of an abscess and/or fistula with the fissure is not identification. Data on the treatment strategy is not clear and also indefinite.Methods: The aim of this study was to search for the prevalence of a fistula in patients with chronic anal fissure (CAF). All of the patients were examined by physicians specialized and experienced in proctology. They were registered on standardized forms. Patients who described discharge after chronic anal pain in their anamnesis also worked on these forms. All of the patients included in the study had a CAF and an anal fistula developed on the basis of anal fissure.Results: Patients who underwent surgery for anal fistula between 2011-2020 were analyzed rectospectively. Nineteen patients (2.6%) had a fistula due to CAF. Twelve (62%) of the patients had superficial fistula, 7 (38%) had type 1 fistula. Fistulectomy and internal sphincterotomy were performed in patients with superficial fistula developed on the basis of CAF. In patients with type 1 anal fistula developed on the background of CAF, only fistulotomy was performed. The mean recovery time of the patients was 14 days and the mean duration of symptoms was 4 days.Conclusions: It is the determinant of CAF in the success of the treatment of anal fistula developing on the basis of CAF. Adequate sphincterotomy is successful in the treatment of CAF and anal fistula developing on the fissure background.

A comparative study between lateral internal anal sphincterotomy and botulinum toxin injection in the treatment of chronic anal fissure

Background and objective: The gold standard for the treatment of chronic anal fissure is lateral internal sphincterotomy. Botulinum toxin injection provides temporary alleviation of sphincter spasm and allows the fissure to heal. This study aimed to compare the outcomes of lateral internal sphincterotomy and botulinum toxin injection treatments in patients with uncomplicated chronic anal fissure. Methods: A prospective comparative study was carried out at the surgical unit of Erbil teaching hospital, Erbil, Kurdistan Region of Iraq, from January 2017 to February 2018. Fifty-five patients were enrolled in this study. Five patients were excluded, and the remaining 50 patients were equally divided into two groups. Group A was managed with lateral internal sphincterotomy and group B with botulinum toxin. Postoperative pain relief, bleeding, fissure healing, incontinence, and relapse after six weeks and three months of follow-up were compared. Results: One month after treatment, 12% of the lateral internal sphincterotomy group had bleeding, while none of the botulinum toxin group (P = 0.234). Two patients (8%) of the lateral internal sphincterotomy group had pain while one (4%) of the botulinum toxin group (P >0.999).Three months after treatment, 4% of the lateral internal sphincterotomy group had bleeding, while none of the botulinum toxin group (P >0.999). None of the lateral internal sphincterotomy group had pain while one (4%) of the botulinum toxin group (P >0.999). Regarding healing, 96% of the lateral internal sphincterotomy group healed, while 92% in the botulinum toxin group (P >0.999). Conclusion: The outcome of lateral internal sphincterotomy and botulinum toxin were nearly the same, but lateral internal sphincterotomy required hospitalization, period off work, and risk of anesthesia. These risks were absent in botulinum toxin injection. Keywords: Chronic anal fissure; Lateral internal sphincterotomy; Botulinum toxin; Complications.