Randomised trial of topical 0.2% glyceryl trinitrate and lateral internal sphincterotomy for the treatment of patients with chronic anal fissure: long-term follow-up.
OBJECTIVE
To compare outcomes 24 months after treatment of chronic anal fissure with 0.2% glyceryl trinitrate ointment (GTN) or lateral internal sphincterotomy.


METHODS
Prospective, randomised trial.


METHODS
One teaching, one private, and 3 district hospitals, U.K.


METHODS
Seventy patients were randomised into two groups of 35 each to use 0.2% GTN ointment or have a lateral internal sphincterotomy.


METHODS
Resolution of symptoms and healing of fissures assessed after 24 months.


RESULTS
All those operated on were initially cured but one fissure recurred after 8 months. Nineteen of 35 fissures treated with GTN healed. The remaining 16 patients randomised to use GTN ointment whose fissures did not heal were then treated by sphincterotomy. Three patients whose fissures healed successfully with GTN developed recurrences within 6 months of completing treatment. The remaining 16 of 19 patients treated with GTN whose fissures healed were free of symptoms with no clinical evidence of recurrence after 24 months follow-up.


CONCLUSIONS
Many anal fissures heal with topical treatment with GTN. Lateral internal sphincterotomy remains effective but should be reserved for patients who fail to respond to initial chemical sphincterotomy.
Libertiny
Gabor
G
Department of Colorectal Surgery, Royal Berkshire & Battle Hospitals, Reading, Berkshire, England.
Knight
John S
JS
Farouk
Ridzuan
R
D000287:Administration, Topical; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002908:Chronic Disease; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D005260:Female; D005401:Fissure in Ano / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D005996:Nitroglycerin / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D011336:Probability; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013514:Surgical Procedures, Operative / Q000379:methods*; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000502:physiology
D005996:Nitroglycerin