Fissurectomy versus lateral internal sphincterotomy in the treatment of chronic anal fissures: no advantages in terms of post-operative incontinence.

Lateral internal sphincterotomy is confirmed as the preferred technique in term of healing rate. Fissurectomy did not offer a lower rate of de novo post-operative incontinence, but resulted in lower Vaizey scores in patients in whom this occurred. Satisfaction was lower in patients suffering a de novo post-operative incontinence after lateral internal sphincterotomy.