title: Glyceryl trinitrate vs. sphincterotomy for treatment of chronic fissure-in-ano: a randomized, controlled trial.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study was undertaken to compare local application of a glyceryl trinitrate ointment with lateral internal sphincterotomy for the treatment of chronic fissure-in-ano.
  
  
  METHODS
  A sample of 24 consecutive patients with chronic anal fissure was randomly allocated to treatment with sphincterotomy or local glyceryl trinitrate. Patients were followed-up for a median of 22 months.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All 12 patients healed following sphincterotomy; 10 of 12 healed with local glyceryl trinitrate (P = 0.239). There were no recurrences or side-effects in either group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Local application of glyceryl trinitrate can avoid surgery in more than 80 percent of patients with chronic anal fissure.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, JG Strijdom Hospital and the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.
authors.forename: G J
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Oettlé
mesh_terms: D000287:Administration, Topical; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001003:Anal Canal / Q000601:surgery*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D005401:Fissure in Ano / Q000628:therapy*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D005996:Nitroglycerin / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D009824:Ointments
chemical_list: D009824:Ointments; D005996:Nitroglycerin