title: A Comparative Study of Lateral Sphincterotomy and 2% Diltiazem Gel Local Application in the Treatment of Chronic Fissure in ANO.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Anal fissures are commonly encountered in routine clinical practice. Anal fissure has traditionally been treated surgically. Developments in the pharmacological understanding of the internal anal sphincter have resulted in more conservative approaches towards treatment. In this study we compare symptomatic relief, healing and side effects of topical 2% Diltiazem gel and lateral internal sphincterotomy in the treatment of chronic fissure in ano.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this prospective trial, 60 surgical out patients and/or admitted patients with chronic fissure in ano were randomly divided into Group 1 (Diltiazem gel) and Group 2 (internal sphincterotomy) with 30 patients in each Group. Patients were followed up at weekly intervals for six consecutive weeks and biweekly for subsequent 3 months.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Fissure was completely healed in 88.46% of patients in Group 1 and in 100% in Group 2. The mean duration required for healing of fissure was 5.04 weeks in Group 1 and 3.6 weeks in Group 2. 78.26% patients were free from pain in Group 1 whereas 85.18% patients were free from pain in Group 2. No patient had any side effects in either group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Topical Diltiazem should be considered as first line treatment in chronic fissure in ano. Internal sphincterotomy should be reserved for patients with relapse and therapeutic failure to prior pharmacological treatment.
authors.affiliation: Ex-Resident, Department of General Surgery, Bangalore Medical College and Research Institute , Bangalore, India .
authors.forename: Giridhar
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: C M
authors.affiliation: Resident, Department of General Surgery, Bangalore Medical College and Research Institute , Bangalore, India .
authors.forename: Preethitha
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Babu
authors.affiliation: Professor, Department of General Surgery, Bangalore Medical College and Research Institute , Bangalore, India .
authors.forename: K Seshagiri
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Rao
keywords: Anal fissure; Chemical sphincterotomy; Surgical sphincterotomy