Glyceryl trinitrate vs. sphincterotomy for treatment of chronic fissure-in-ano: a randomized, controlled trial.

PURPOSE: This study was undertaken to compare local application of a glyceryl trinitrate ointment with lateral internal sphincterotomy for the treatment of chronic fissure-in-ano.

PATIENTS AND

METHODS

A sample of 24 consecutive patients with chronic anal fissure was randomly allocated to treatment with sphincterotomy or local glyceryl trinitrate. Patients were followed-up for a median of 22 months.

RESULTS

All 12 patients healed following sphincterotomy; 10 of 12 healed with local glyceryl trinitrate (P = 0.239). There were no recurrences or side-effects in either group.

CONCLUSIONS

Local application of glyceryl trinitrate can avoid surgery in more than 80 percent of patients with chronic anal fissure.