title: Topical application of LEVORAG® as first-line treatment for chronic anal fissures: a preliminary multicentric study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of the present study was to assess the safety and efficacy of this new topical agent as a first line treatment in patients with chronic anal fissures.
  
  
  METHODS
  Nine centres were involved in the study. Patients with chronic anal fissures were recruited and received Levorag® for 40 days. Follow-up visits were conducted at 10, 20 and 40 days from the recruitment. Primary outcome was the healing rate, secondary outcome the reduction of pain at the end of the treatment measured with a VAS scale.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Fifty patients completed the treatment. No adverse events were recorded. 60% of patients healed completely at the end of the treatment. In those that did not heal the reduction of mean VAS values was 60%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The use of Levorag® on patients affected by chronic anal fissures achieved in the short term results similar to those experienced by more classic local treatments without any side effect.
authors.affiliation: Barts Health NHS Trust, London, UK - claudio.pagano@fastwebnet.it.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Giordano
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mistrangelo
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Cracco
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: D'Elia
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Creperio
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Digito
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Paduano
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tapparo
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Quinto
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Villa
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Pagano
mesh_terms: D002908:Chronic Disease; D003879:Dermatologic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004338:Drug Combinations; D004643:Emollients / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005401:Fissure in Ano / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005782:Gels / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014945:Wound Healing; D047071:beta-Glucans / Q000008:administration & dosage*
chemical_list: D003879:Dermatologic Agents; D004338:Drug Combinations; D004643:Emollients; D005782:Gels; C000618614:Levorag; D010936:Plant Extracts; D047071:beta-Glucans