I was diagnosed with a Chronic Anal Fissure around 10 months ago. Tried all the usual creams and ointments,
just finishing a only partial successful month of Nitroglycerin ointment. However I did get the headaches. Now considering LIS within the next 2 or 3 weeks. I am meeting with 2 Doctors this week, one is less than an hour away and is a very good general surgeon who also does laparoscopic colorectal surgery. The other Doctor is over 4 hours away but is a colorectal surgeon or proctologist and has performed numerous LIS procedures. I would like some feedback as to who to use. Gracias EMD

Not a difficult choice IMO, put it this way. you’re about to let someone you don’t know take a scalpel & other instruments of torture to the inside of your bottom, with the added risk of incontinence if he/she gets it wrong!

Do you want an experienced specialist doing that surgery or a general surgeon who’s maybe done it once or twice?

For me that wouldn’t be a difficult choice, even if it requires extra travel time.

Good luck & go for it, don’t linger with a fissure any longer than you have to.

EMD23 wrote:I was diagnosed with a Chronic Anal Fissure around 10 months ago. Tried all the usual creams and ointments,
just finishing a only partial successful month of Nitroglycerin ointment. However I did get the headaches. Now considering LIS within the next 2 or 3 weeks.

Have you considered Botox treatment? It's often recommended as an intermediate step before LIS.

dmcff

Hola, and Gracious for your reply, I had my meeting with the General Surgeon yesterday, he advised against Botox, said he hasn’t seen much success with it. Strongly advised the LIS and quoted the normal statistics. Will be meeting with the Specialist tomorrow and will let you know what he recommends. But one way or another the procedure will be done next week. This is controlling my life way too much. I also appreciate the other replies that strongly encourage the specialist. Will let you know which Dr I go with. Gracias

After meeting both a General Surgeon and a Specialist, I booked my LIS for Monday February 27th with the specialist, hands down no comparison in the 2 meetings. Will let you know how it goes. Gracias

EMD23 wrote:After meeting both a General Surgeon and a Specialist, I booked my LIS for Monday February 27th with the specialist, hands down no comparison in the 2 meetings. Will let you know how it goes. Gracias

Good call. I would have told you to see a CRS over a general surgeon. This is a microsurgery. I also do not recommend Botox. How many people who do Botox cure the fissure? I had Botox. It's a temporary fix and if you don't treat it on your own you are going to have to live with a fissure forever. The surgery was great, I am so glad to have done it after 6 years of suffering. I have not had a problem since I had mine in October 2020. You will be SO relieved once this is all over with.

Is there much difference between the results and cure for a Chronic anal fissure by the Surgeon using laser over a more traditional method? Gracias

Personally I don't know.

The CRS I used has this info on his site and why I chose him over a general surgeon:
-Laparoscopic, robotic and open surgery for colon and rectal cancer as well as benign conditions
-Advanced colonoscopy and transanal procedures
-Complex anorectal procedures
-Sacral nerve stimulation for fecal incontinence
-Board-certified in Colon and Rectal Surgery, and General Surgery.
-Author of multiple publications and book chapters in the field of colorectal surgery.
-Clinical Professor of Surgery at the University of Illinois at Chicago.
-Vice-Chair of Surgery and Chief of Colon and Rectal Surgery Division at Advocate Lutheran General Hospital.
-Associate Program Director of Minimally Invasive Colon and Rectal Surgery Fellowship at Advocate Lutheran General Hospital.
-Past President of Chicago Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons

That was all I needed to know. He is a nice guy as well. "Have the surgery and get on with your life." Best advice ever!

Gracias, all good for Monday February 27. Will let you know how it goes. No pain no gain.

EMD23 wrote:Gracias, all good for Monday February 27. Will let you know how it goes. No pain no gain.

Well? What happened?