title: Botulinum toxin for chronic anal fissure.
abstract: Botulinum toxin can chemically denervate striated muscle. Botulinum toxin A (15 U) was used to treat ten patients with chronic anal fissure by injection in the internal sphincter. In seven patients, the lesion healed at 2 months after treatment; one relapsed at 3 months. In one patient the lesion healed at 1 month, but partly relapsed a month later. Mild faecal incontinence lasting for 1 day was observed in one patient. We propose that botulinum toxin injections in the internal anal sphincter be considered an alternative approach to surgical therapy of anal fissure.
authors.affiliation: Istituto di Clinica Chirurgica, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Roma, Italy.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Gui
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Cassetta
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Anastasio
authors.forename: A R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Bentivoglio
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Maria
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Albanese
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001003:Anal Canal / Q000503:physiopathology; D001905:Botulinum Toxins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D005401:Fissure in Ano / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007273:Injections, Intramuscular; D008297:Male; D008365:Manometry; D008875:Middle Aged; D011312:Pressure
chemical_list: D001905:Botulinum Toxins