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Medical Author:

Benjamin Wedro, MD, FACEP, FAAEM

Benjamin Wedro, MD, FACEP, FAAEM

Dr. Ben Wedro practices emergency medicine at Gundersen Clinic, a regional trauma center in La Crosse, Wisconsin. His background includes undergraduate and medical studies at the University of Alberta, a Family Practice internship at Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario and residency training in Emergency Medicine at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center.

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Medical Editor:

Bhupinder Anand, MD

Lateral internal sphincterectomy describes the procedure where the thickened internal sphincter muscle is incised to allow it to relax by releasing the tension within the circular muscle, and allowing the fissure to heal. The operation is usually performed under general or spinal anesthesia.

Sometimes, when a chronic fissure is present, the surgeon may elect to excise or cut out the fissure at the same time.

The pain of the anal fissure resolves almost immediately post operatively. Laxatives and stool softeners may be recommended for a few days after surgery. A high fiber diet is a lifelong recommendation to prevent recurrence.

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