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Polski Przeglad Chirurgiczny Mar 2021Anal fissure is one of the most common anorectal diseases resulting from a longitudinal tear in anoderm under the dentate line. It causes painful defecation and bleeding... (Review)
Review
Anal fissure is one of the most common anorectal diseases resulting from a longitudinal tear in anoderm under the dentate line. It causes painful defecation and bleeding per anum. Most of the fissures heal by conservative means but a significant proportion turns chronic, leading to a negative impact upon the overall quality of life of a patient. The treatment options for chronic fissures are generally based on reducing the anal pressures and include non-surgical and surgical modalities. Lateral internal sphincterotomy still remains the gold standard for definitive management of anal fissure though anal incontinence is a serious complication of the procedure. In recent years, various modifications have evolved to minimize chances of incontinence besides the evolution of a wide range of non-surgical options of management. This review outlines the key points in the clinical presentation, etiopathogenesis, impact on the quality of life and management of anal fissure in the light of the recent updates in literature.
Topics: Anal Canal; Chronic Disease; Fecal Incontinence; Fissure in Ano; Humans; Quality of Life; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 34515649
DOI: 10.5604/01.3001.0014.7879 -
European Journal of Pediatric Surgery :... Oct 2020Anal fissure is a common clinical problem in children and is defined as a longitudinal tear in the anal canal. The typical presentation is painful defecation and rectal... (Review)
Review
Anal fissure is a common clinical problem in children and is defined as a longitudinal tear in the anal canal. The typical presentation is painful defecation and rectal bleeding. The etiology of anal fissure is unknown, but passage of hard stools and increased internal anal sphincter pressure are considered important factors. The treatment is oriented to relieve the spasm of the internal anal sphincter, which prevents healing of the fissure. Conservative management with stool softeners, topical analgesics, and sitz baths is recommended as first-choice therapy. Surgical treatment has been replaced by nonoperative management as definitive therapy, which is associated with a marginally higher success rate than placebo. Most recent studies have focused on nonoperative treatment with glyceryl trinitrate, calcium channel blockers, or botulinum toxin injection treatment. There are a few controlled studies to compare the different nonoperative treatment options in children. Success rates vary between the studies, and there is no clear evidence about which is the optimal nonoperative treatment. A significant recurrence rate has been reported after nonoperative management of anal fissure. It is important to treat constipation to avoid recurrent tears in the anal canal.
Topics: Botulinum Toxins; Calcium Channel Blockers; Child; Conservative Treatment; Constipation; Fissure in Ano; Humans; Nitroglycerin; Vasodilator Agents
PubMed: 32920798
DOI: 10.1055/s-0040-1716723 -
The Cochrane Database of Systematic... Feb 2012Because of the disability associated with surgery for anal fissure and the risk of incontinence, medical alternatives for surgery have been sought. Most recently,... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Because of the disability associated with surgery for anal fissure and the risk of incontinence, medical alternatives for surgery have been sought. Most recently, pharmacologic methods that relax the anal smooth muscle, to accomplish reversibly what occurs in surgery, have been used to obtain fissure healing.
OBJECTIVES
To assess the efficacy and morbidity of various medical therapies for anal fissure.
SEARCH METHODS
Search terms include "anal fissure randomized". Timing from 1966 to August 2010. Further details of the search below.
SELECTION CRITERIA
Studies in which participants were randomized to a non-surgical therapy for anal fissure. Comparison groups may include an operative procedure, an alternate medical therapy or placebo. Chronic fissure, acute fissure and fissure in children are included in the review. Atypical fissures associated with inflammatory bowel disease or cancer or anal infection are excluded.
DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
Data were abstracted from published reports and meeting abstracts, assessing method of randomization, blinding, "intention to treat" and drop-outs, therapies, supportive measures (applied to both groups), dosing and frequency and cross-overs. Dichotomous outcome measures included Non-healing of the fissure (a combination of persistence and recurrence), and Adverse events (including incontinence, headache, infection, anaphylaxis). Continuous outcome measures included measures of pain relief and anorectal manometry.
MAIN RESULTS
In this update 23 studies including 1236 participants is added to the 54 studies and 3904 participants in the 2008 publication, however 2 studies were from the last version reclassified as un included, so the final number of participants is 5031.49 different comparisons of the ability of medical therapies to heal anal fissure have been reported in 75 RCTs. Seventeen agents were used (nitroglycerin ointment (GTN), isosorbide mono & dinitrate, Botulinum toxin (Botox), diltiazem, nifedipine (Calcium channel blockers or CCBs), hydrocortisone, lignocaine, bran, minoxidil, indoramin, clove oil, L-arginine, sitz baths, sildenafil, "healer cream" and placebo) as well as Sitz baths, anal dilators and surgical sphincterotomy. GTN was found to be marginally but significantly better than placebo in healing anal fissure (48.9% vs. 35.5%, p < 0.0009), but late recurrence of fissure was common, in the range of 50% of those initially cured. Botox and CCBs were equivalent to GTN in efficacy with fewer adverse events. No medical therapy came close to the efficacy of surgical sphincterotomy, though none of the medical therapies in these RCTs were associated with the risk of incontinence.
AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS
Medical therapy for chronic anal fissure, currently consisting of topical glyceryl trinitrate, botulinum toxin injection or the topical calcium channel blockers nifedipine or diltiazem in acute and chronic fissure and fissure in children may be applied with a chance of cure that is marginally better than placebo. For chronic fissure in adults all medical therapies are far less effective than surgery. A few of the newer agents investigated show promise based only upon single studies (clove oil, sildenifil and a "healer cream") but lack comparison to more established medications.
Topics: Adult; Anal Canal; Child; Dilatation; Fissure in Ano; Humans; Hydrotherapy; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
PubMed: 22336789
DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD003431.pub3 -
BMJ (Clinical Research Ed.) Jan 2022
Review
Topics: Adult; Chronic Disease; Fissure in Ano; Humans
PubMed: 35022226
DOI: 10.1136/bmj-2021-066834 -
Current Opinion in Gastroenterology Jan 2020Anal fissures are very common. They are easy to diagnose and treat in the office setting. They may coexist with hemorrhoids. In fact 20% of patients with hemorrhoids... (Review)
Review
PURPOSE OF REVIEW
Anal fissures are very common. They are easy to diagnose and treat in the office setting. They may coexist with hemorrhoids. In fact 20% of patients with hemorrhoids have anal fissures also. The purpose of this review is to highlight current diagnosis and treatment of anal fissures using diet, ointments and botulinum toxin to enable healing. Medical treatment relies on reducing anal sphincter spasm to allow improved blood flow and healing.
RECENT FINDINGS
Many anorectal disorders can be managed in the office. Most anal fissures can be managed without the need for surgery. The need for anorectal examination, including use of anoscopy is stressed in the current literature. The use of calcium channel blockers in preference to nitroglycerin is highlighted as well as the use of botulinum toxin when ointments don't work.
SUMMARY
Anal fissure can be managed nonsurgically most of the time and gastroenterologists should be able to manage them. This article should help in preventing unnecessary surgery and its complications, mainly incontinence in a small but significant number. The search for more effective drugs and options for managing this disorder continues.
Topics: Anal Canal; Fissure in Ano; Gastroenterology; Humans; Wound Healing
PubMed: 31688336
DOI: 10.1097/MOG.0000000000000599 -
BMJ Clinical Evidence Nov 2014Anal fissures are a common cause of anal pain during, and for 1 to 2 hours after, defecation. The cause is not fully understood, but low intake of dietary fibre may be a... (Review)
Review
INTRODUCTION
Anal fissures are a common cause of anal pain during, and for 1 to 2 hours after, defecation. The cause is not fully understood, but low intake of dietary fibre may be a risk factor.
METHODS AND OUTCOMES
We conducted a systematic review and aimed to answer the following clinical question: What are the effects of surgical treatments for chronic anal fissure? We searched: Medline, Embase, The Cochrane Library, and other important databases up to January 2014 (Clinical Evidence reviews are updated periodically; please check our website for the most up-to-date version of this review). We included harms alerts from relevant organisations such as the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the UK Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).
RESULTS
We found nine studies that met our inclusion criteria. We performed a GRADE evaluation of the quality of evidence for interventions.
CONCLUSIONS
In this systematic review, we present information relating to the effectiveness and safety of the following interventions: anal advancement flap, anal stretch/dilation, and internal anal sphincterotomy.
Topics: Anal Canal; Fissure in Ano; Humans; Risk Factors; United States
PubMed: 25391392
DOI: No ID Found -
The Surgical Clinics of North America Feb 2010Anal fissure is a common disorder that is effectively treated and prevented with conservative measures in its acute form, whereas chronic fissures may require medical or... (Review)
Review
Anal fissure is a common disorder that is effectively treated and prevented with conservative measures in its acute form, whereas chronic fissures may require medical or surgical therapy. This article discusses the nonoperative and operative management strategies, reviews the current literature on expected outcomes, and provides guidance on dealing with fissures in special situations, such as patients with inflammatory bowel disease or hypotonic sphincters.
Topics: Acute Disease; Anal Canal; Botulinum Toxins, Type A; Calcium Channel Blockers; Chronic Disease; Diltiazem; Fissure in Ano; Humans; Neuromuscular Agents; Nifedipine; Nitroglycerin; Vasodilator Agents
PubMed: 20109631
DOI: 10.1016/j.suc.2009.09.002 -
Casopis Lekaru Ceskych 2015Anal fissure is one of the very frequent and painful proctologic diseases. Linear ulcer is situated in the anal canal and extending from the dentate line to the margin... (Review)
Review
Anal fissure is one of the very frequent and painful proctologic diseases. Linear ulcer is situated in the anal canal and extending from the dentate line to the margin of the anus. Fissure can cause pain and bleeding. Diagnosis is made from the history and local inspection. Acute anal fissure should be treated conservatively - increased fibre and fluid intake, warm baths, local anaesthetic ointment, alternatively with nitrates and if all else fails by botulinum toxin. Treatment of chronic fissure will start conservatively but operative options are necessary in many cases.
Topics: Anal Canal; Combined Modality Therapy; Fissure in Ano; Humans
PubMed: 25994822
DOI: No ID Found -
Gastroenterology Clinics of North... Mar 2001Anal fissure is a common condition, and although most are short-lived and heal spontaneously, those that persist and require intervention cause considerable morbidity in... (Review)
Review
Anal fissure is a common condition, and although most are short-lived and heal spontaneously, those that persist and require intervention cause considerable morbidity in an otherwise healthy young population. Traditionally, lateral internal sphincterotomy was the gold standard treatment for chronic fissures, but this procedure is associated with a risk of incontinence to some degree in 30% of patients. The discovery of pharmacologic agents that effectively cause a chemical sphincterotomy and heal most fissures has led to approximately two thirds of patients avoiding surgery. Topical 0.2% GTN ointment probably is the most widely used first-line treatment. Other drugs currently under investigation may offer effective treatment with fewer side effects. Another advantage of these novel treatments is that by acting through different pathways, they may be effective in the 30% of cases in which GTN fails, the risks associated with surgery may be avoided. Studies of botulinum toxin injection into the anal sphincter have reported excellent healing rates, although the procedure is more invasive, and patients may find it uncomfortable and less tolerable. Chemical sphincterotomy is particularly suitable in patients with associated inflammatory bowel disease, in whom sphincterotomy for anal fissure generally is contraindicated. When pharmacologic therapy fails or fissures recur frequently and patients have raised resting anal pressure, lateral internal sphincterotomy is the surgical treatment of choice. The results are satisfactory when patients are selected carefully and the incision is limited to the length of the fissure. When chemical sphincterotomy fails and resting anal pressures are not elevated, as is commonly the case with patients developing fissures postpartum, an advancement flap should be considered.
Topics: Anal Canal; Fissure in Ano; Humans
PubMed: 11394029
DOI: 10.1016/s0889-8553(05)70172-2 -
The Surgical Clinics of North America Dec 2002Anal fissure is a common condition with a characteristic presentation. Despite increased pharmaceutical options in the medical management of anal fissures, surgical... (Review)
Review
Anal fissure is a common condition with a characteristic presentation. Despite increased pharmaceutical options in the medical management of anal fissures, surgical therapy is not in danger of becoming obsolete. Lateral internal sphincterotomy remains an attractive option for many patients suffering from this painful condition.
Topics: Female; Fissure in Ano; Humans; Male; Risk Factors
PubMed: 12516855
DOI: 10.1016/s0039-6109(02)00059-2