Because even coders have to deal with real-life bugs.

Anal fissures aren’t exactly a common Slack topic but if you’ve ever dealt with one, you know it can be a major productivity killer. Sitting for hours, dealing with constant discomfort, and dreading bathroom breaks isn’t sustainable for anyone, especially not for developers or remote workers glued to a desk.

So when conservative treatments fail (fiber, creams, sitz baths, all the usual suspects), lateral internal sphincterotomy (LIS) surgery becomes a serious option. I’m not here to give medical advice, but I’ve done deep research into this procedure, and this post is for anyone who might be considering it and wants a clear, tech-style breakdown.

What Is Lateral Internal Sphincterotomy?

In simple terms:
A small cut is made in the internal anal sphincter muscle to reduce pressure and allow the fissure to heal.

Think of it like reducing pressure in a tightly looped system that’s stuck in an error loop. The muscle is too tense for healing to happen—cutting it (carefully!) breaks the cycle.

Outpatient procedure
Usually under local or general anesthesia
Takes ~20 minutes
No overnight hospital stay

Why Surgery?

You might reach this point if:

Your fissure has become chronic (lasting >6 weeks)
Creams (like nitroglycerin or diltiazem) haven’t worked
Botox didn’t help (yes, it’s a thing)
The pain is interfering with daily function (or coding sessions)

What Recovery Looks Like

✅ The Good:

Many report immediate relief from fissure-related pain
Bowel movements become manageable within days
The success rate is 90%+, and most fissures don’t return

⚠️ The Not-So-Good:

Post-op pain is mild to moderate but manageable
You’ll need sitz baths, fiber, hydration, and maybe some PTO
Some risk of temporary incontinence (usually gas, rarely stool)
Full healing may take a few weeks

🧭 Decision-Making Framework

Here’s a mental checklist that might help:

Question	Consideration
Have I exhausted non-surgical options?	Creams, baths, diet, hydration
Is the fissure interfering with work/life?	If yes, don’t delay
Am I afraid of complications?	Discuss risks with a specialist
Do I trust my colorectal surgeon?	Always verify experience level

If you're researching LIS while sitting on a donut cushion during a standup meeting, you’re not alone. This surgery has helped many people return to normal life and normal seating.

As with all health decisions, talk to a doctor you trust, ask lots of questions, and don't base your choice on forums alone. But it never hurts to read up and be ready to advocate for your own health.

Fissure Surgery (LIS): A Developer’s Guide to Understanding the Process