Anal fissure; treatment with glyceryl trinitrate [five years experience]

ABSTRACT

To evaluate the efficacy of glyceryl trinitrate [GTN] preparation for the treatment fissure in-ano. This study is a prospective clinical trial. This was conducted initially at PMC Faisalabad and other centers from November 2001 to onward for the period of five years. Out of 306 patients, 42 disliked/ refused this modality of treatment and was launched on 264 patients. 114 patients never followed up so, were excluded from the study. The remaining 276 patients applied 0.2% glyceryl trinitrate preparation on their anal verge thrice a day for two months. The patients were followed up at 1[st] to 12[th] weeks. The extent of improvement in the presenting symptoms, side effects and complications were noted on questionnaires. A healing rate of 64.3%, and recurrence occurred in 35.7%. 72 patients demanded surgery after failure/ non-compliance of GTN ointment treatment. Glyceryl trinitrate preparation is a safe and effective modality for the treatment of fissure in-ano