Anoplasty for stenosis and other anorectal defects

Anorectal strictures have been a serious problem for many years. The aim of this study was to determine the experience with anoplasty in our institution. A group of 17 patients, (six males and 11 females) were evaluated between May 1989 and February 1994, with an age range of 20 to 78 (mean 61 years). The main symptoms were difficulty to pass stool or constipation in 10 patients (58.8 per cent), rectal bleeding in eight patients (47 per cent), and anorectal pain in seven patients (41.1 per cent). The patients underwent clinical examination and the findings were anal stenosis in 13 patients (76.4 per cent), perianal fistula in two patients (11.8 per cent), key hole deformity in one patient (5.9 per cent), and unhealed chronic fissure in one patient (5.9 per cent). The technical procedure was S plasty in six patients (35.2 per cent) and advancement flaps in 11 (64.8 per cent). The follow-up period was between 3 and 59 (mean 18) months. In 16 patients, surgery had good results with improvement of their preoperative symptoms and preservation of continence. There was one septic complication; mean hospital stay was 3 days. In conclusion, anoplasty appears to be a safe and successful alternative for the treatment of anal stenosis.