A prospective randomized trial of diltiazem and glyceryltrinitrate ointment in the treatment of chronic anal fissure.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to compare prospectively diltiazem with GTN ointment in the treatment of anal fissure.


METHODS
Of 43 outpatients with chronic anal fissure, 22 patients were randomized to topical diltiazem (2%) ointment and 21 patients to glyceryltrinitrate (GTN) (0.5%) ointment twice daily for 8 weeks. During the course of treatment each patient was seen three times. Side-effects and healing were recorded.


RESULTS
Healing occurred in 19 of 22 patients treated with diltiazem and 18 of 21 patients were cured with GTN (P = 0.95). Those who were treated with nitroglycerin ointment developed headache and dizziness developed after GTN in 33.3% of cases while no patient had any side-effects after diltiazem.


CONCLUSIONS
Diltiazem and glyceryltrinitrate (GTN) were equally effective in healing anal fissure but the former resulted in fewer side-effects.
Bielecki
K
K
Department Surgery, Medical Centre for Postgraduate Education, Orlowski Hospital, 231 Czerniakowska str. 00-416, Warsaw, Poland. 0303@a-vip.com
Kolodziejczak
M
M
D000287:Administration, Topical; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002908:Chronic Disease; D004110:Diltiazem / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D005401:Fissure in Ano / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D005996:Nitroglycerin / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009824:Ointments; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013997:Time Factors; D014665:Vasodilator Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000187:drug effects
D009824:Ointments; D014665:Vasodilator Agents; D004110:Diltiazem; D005996:Nitroglycerin