Comparison of 0.2 % glyceryl trinitrate and open lateral internal anal sphincterotomy in treatment of chronic anal fissures

ABSTRACT

To compare lateral internal sphincterotomy with 0.2 percent glyceryl trinitrate in the treatment of chronic anal fissure in terms of fissure healing and complications. Randomised Controlled Trials [RCT] Place and duration of the study The study was of 6 months duration conducted at surgical unit Combined Military Hospital Rawalpindi from August 2006 to February 2007. Subjects and Seventy Patients were randomly assigned to two treatment groups. Group 1 was assigned to apply glyceryl trinitrate 0.2 percent paste while, in group 2 lateral internal sphincterotomy was done. Response to the treatment was assessed in terms of fissure healing and occurrence of complications. Follow up of the patients was carried out at the end of 2nd, 4th, and 6th week of treatment. In this study overall healing rate after 6 weeks with GTN was 71.4% and 100% with LIS [p< 0.001]. Conclusions: lateral internal sphincterotomy is better than GTN in fissure healing