Botulinum toxin for the treatment of secondary chronic anal fissure.

BACKGROUND

Botulinum toxin A (BT-A) injection into internal or external anal sphincter causes relaxation of the anal sphincters, enhancing microcirculation at the fissure site and promoting fissure healing. There are no such observations in patients with secondary anal fissure.

METHODS

Six patients with fissures after surgical or nonsurgical treatment of hemorrhoids and four patients with ulcerative colitis received injections of BT-A on both edges of the fissure (total dose, 25 U Botox).

RESULTS

In the week following BTA injection, patients with fissure after hemorrhoids treatment had relief of fissure symptoms, but one month later the fissures still existed. They then received an additional 25 U Botox. One month after the second BT-A injection, all fissures were healed. The patients with ulcerative colitis had only symptomatic improvement after BT-A injection.

CONCLUSION

BT-A therapy seems effective for the treatment of chronic anal fissure after surgical or nonsurgical treatment of hemorrhoids.