Cut or paste? The use of glyceryl trinitrate paste in the treatment of acute and chronic anal fissure.

BACKGROUND

Anal fissure unresponsive to conservative measures such as stool softeners frequently requires surgical intervention. The present study describes the use of glyceryl trinitrate (GTN) in the treatment of acute and chronic anal fissure.

METHODS

Eighteen consecutive patients with anal fissure were treated with 0.5% GTN paste in soft white paraffin applied twice daily to the anus. These patients were followed at regular intervals to assess symptom control, rate of healing, adverse effects and recurrence rate.

RESULTS

Two patients were lost to follow-up. Twelve of the remaining 16 were cured. Of these, symptomatic relief was obtained for most within 2 days, and for all within 1 week. No patient required cessation of treatment due to adverse effects. Treatment failed in four of 16 patients. Two of these patients subsequently underwent successful surgical procedures, and two patients (while not completely cured) had sufficient symptomatic relief to decide against surgery.

CONCLUSIONS

The use of GTN paste in the treatment of acute and chronic anal fissure may be a safe and effective modality that can be considered as first-line treatment for this condition.