Surgery for fissures?

[Starlight]

Wanted to see if anyone here has any experience with any type of surgery for a fissure. It's looking like I'm heading that way since the suppositories my doctor prescribe are not working. I'll know on the 9th when I see him what the next step will be.

So obviously I'm not sure what the next step or what kind of surgery they would do, I've been reading online and it seems that LIS ( lateral internal sphincterotomy) is the most common surgery being done for it at this time. I've also read about fissurectomy's, but it sounds like these are less common because of a higher chance of incontinence.

I've read some people recovered very quickly with little pain while I've read others had severe pain and it took them weeks to recover. Has anyone else had this surgery? I would love to hear your story.

Also say I have the LIS surgery. What can I expect after? Are you limited. Activities after, or is it just as tolerated? If limited, about how long would it be until i can go back to normal? Any information will be appreciated!

 

[xX_LittleMissValentine_Xx]

Hello.
I had a fissurectomy in jan at the same time as a fistulectomy, (if thats how you spell it) It was uncomfortable to begin with and I dreaded going to the toilet but I basically don't notice it now.
They gave me some cream to use as well which I haven't used in ages. Not sure if I should be still using it or not.
Feel free to ask any questions.

 

[Starlight]

Did they have you on limited activities for a while or was it just activities as tolerated? Did you have any problems with incontinence? Thats the part im most afraid about. If so for how long? Also, did they give you sedation or just local? I've read it can be done either way, but I know I don't think I'd even consider doing a local. I rather just be asleep and not remember any of it! It's already embarrassing enough as it is!

I've had a fistula repaired once before almost 3 years Ago ,along with Botox for the fissure. So right now I'm not even sure which one is the one causing the pain. I guess time will tell, I go to the doctor April 9th. My regular GI, if he prescribed me rectal rockets and hydrocortisosone suppositories to try to heal the fissure, I took my last one this morning, and I think it did help some, but very little. It's defiantly not gone whatever it is. He said if these didn't work, then he would refer me to a surgeon. I'm just trying to read up, get ideas and information so I can kind of get an idea what may be coming. Once I go to doctor and find out what would be done, I can narrow it down and hopefully get more answers.

Thanks!

 

[xX_LittleMissValentine_Xx]

It was a general anaesthetic. I went in for a EUA and I wasn't sure exactly what I was going to wake up to. I didn't have any issues with incontinence. The surgeon said he could tell from where it was it wouldn't effect that. I wasn't limited to do anything, it was day surgery so I was home that day, they try to get you walking straight away.
I was joining the gym three weeks later
Good luck with everything.

 

[PaulsPain]

I had a LIS back in Jan of 2010. This was before I was officially diagnosed with Crohn's and when my CRS started wondering.... I suffered with large chronic fissures for many years......before taking the plunge in getting the surgery. It was a godsend for me and I regret not doing it earlier.

Every time I have had surgery on my rear they use twilight sedation. You are asleep but still can breath on your own.

It took awhile for me to heal, many months, from this surgery but I had a lot done - LIS, skin tag removed, two fissurotomy's, and a fistula layed open. I am assuming having Crohn's made things heal slower also.

I had the surgery on a Friday and went back to work on Monday. I have a desk job so I just leaned to the side :smile:. My job was a perfect distraction from the pain. I didn't feel like laying on the couch wallowing in pain. My CRS told me I din't need to limit my activities afterwards. I also started walking on the treadmill to hopefully get the blood flowing to promote healing.

I would recommend getting a hand shower if you don't have one yet. This allows the area to be cleaned without trauma. I took about 2-3 sitz baths a day for a long time to help with the healing and pain.

A great site for fissure information and LIS is: http://analfissure.editboard.com/

As mentioned, I am so happy I did this surgery since fissures where controlling my life for almost 5 years. Now when I have a fissure open up I can heal it within days. The main thing is I don't get the muscle spasms. Before the LIS I would have muscle spasms so bad I could barely walk and this would cause the fissures not to heal.

I would find an experienced CRS to perform the surgery since this is routine for them.

Good luck.

 

[Starlight]

Thanks for the reply! That is very helpful. I Was worried about restrictions because I'm not sure how I'd be able to take time off. When I had my Botox injections and a fistula repair( I'm not really sure exactly what procedure they did for that) I had it done on a Friday. They used propofal which works great for me and is what I hope they use for any future procedure I need, and I don't remember a thing. Expecially since I have a high drug tolerance, I'm always afraid to wake up during the middle of the procedure which has happened to me before during a colonoscopy. I went back to work the Monday, but ended up going home because I was sore. Had a couple of stitches down there on the outside and was still sore, I work in a vet clinic and have a very physical job. So if they do do surgery, that's a little of a worry. If I had a desk job or job that i wasnt on my feet all day, bending Up and down, heavy lifting, etc all day I wouldn't be as worried. Guess ill just have to play that by year.

Thanks again! I hope if I do have to get this done that it works and doesn't return like it did before! It sure is a pain in the a$$. Pun intended!

 

[xX_LittleMissValentine_Xx]

Yeah, it might be difficult for you to do a physical job at first. You can feel pain when you move etc. That didn't last too long though I can't remember exactly.

 

[Harper05]

Do you remember how long it hurt for? I am 2 weeks after having LIS and still really sore....