Closed Versus Open Lateral Internal Sphincterotomy for Chronic Anal Fissure

This randomized controlled trial will compare closed versus open lateral internal sphincterotomy (LIS) under spinal anesthesia in patients with chronic anal fissure. The study will evaluate wound healing rates, postoperative pain, return to work, anal incontinence, and recurrence. A total of 160 patients will be randomized equally to either closed LIS or open LIS. The primary outcome will be complete wound healing at 6 weeks. Secondary outcomes include pain at 24 hours measured by Visual Analog Scale (VAS), return to work (days), anal incontinence at 6 weeks and 1 year, and recurrence at 1 year. Multivariate analysis will identify independent predictors of non-healing.

NCT Number	NCT07496216
Lead Sponsor	Services Hospital, Lahore Collaborators: Services Institute of Medical Sciences, Pakistan
Conditions	Chronic Anal Fissure
Enrollment	160 participants
Start Date	2019-02-01
Primary Completion	2025-12-31 (estimated)
Study Completion	2026-01-15 (estimated)
Updated on ClinicalTrials.gov	2026-03-27