Lateral Sphincterotomy for Anal Fissure Under Local an Esthesia: Is It Feasible?

Abstract

To compare the effectiveness of mixture of local anesthesia versus spinal anesthesia in lateral sphincterotomy for the treatment of anal fissures. METHODS: A prospective study of 54 patients requiring lateral sphincterotomy for anal fissures. One group comprising 27 patients underwent lateral sphincterotomy under spinal anesthesia while the other group had topical lignocaine (2%) jelly applied followed by local infiltration of lignocaine (2%). RESULTS: There were no significant differences between the 2 groups in terms of operating time, per operative pain, postoperative pain, nausea or vomiting, post-operative requirement of analgesia and patient's acceptability/ satisfaction with method of anesthesia. CONCLUSION: A mixture of topical and local anesthesia can be used effectively for lateral sphincterotomy for treatment of anal fissure and is good alternative to spinal anesthesia.