Although lateral internal sphincterotomy heals and relieves symptoms of chronic anal fissure in nearly all patients (96 percent), incontinence occurs frequently. Most episodes of incontinence are indeed minor and transient, but in a small subgroup, incontinence seems to be permanent.

Physiologic evaluation reliably identified patients with severe chronic constipation who might benefit from surgery. IRA is safe and effective, resulting in prompt and prolonged relief of constipation.

Deep venous thrombosis prophylaxis is needed in Asian patients undergoing major colorectal surgery.

In patients with iatrogenic rectourethral fistula that occurred after radical retropubic prostatectomy or radiation, fecal and urinary diversion and muscle transposition followed by re-establishment of both urinary and intestinal continuity may be the treatment modality of choice.

No abstract