title: Beyond Beauty : Botulinum Toxin Use in Anal Fissure.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Chronic fissure in ano is a common distressing problem with high recurrence rates. Any treatment modality should be simple, effective and reversible with no permanent sequelae. Long term medical management with poor compliance or surgical therapy with risk of incontinence are both less than ideal. In this scenario chemical sphincterotomy using Botulinum toxin offers an alternative modality.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 30 patients of chronic fissure in ano were treated with Botulinum toxin injection in the internal sphincter.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All patients had significant symptomatic relief with high rates of fissure healing. The simplicity of administration, lack of complications and cost effectiveness make it a useful alternative to the currently practiced approaches.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Botulinum toxin offers a simple outpatient treatment of chronic fissure in ano, which is safe, cost effective and reversible without significant complication. It has the potential of being used as a first line treatment in chronic fissure in ano.
authors.affiliation: Classified Specialist (Surg & Plastic Surgery). Command Hospital (EC) Alipore, Kolkata-27.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mehrotra
keywords: Botulinum toxin; Chronic fissure in ano