Botulinum toxin associated with fissurectomy and anoplasty for hypertonic chronic anal fissure: A case-control study

BACKGROUND Lateral internal sphincterotomy is still the approach of choice for the treatment of chronic anal fissure(CAF)with internal anal sphincter(IAS)hypertonia,but it is burdened by high-risk postoperative faecal incontinence(FI).Sphincter saving procedures have recently been reconsidered as treatments to overcome this risk.The most employed procedure is fissurectomy with anoplasty,eventually associated with pharmacological sphincterotomy.AIM To evaluate whether fissurectomy and anoplasty with botulinum toxin injection improves the results of fissurectomy and anoplasty alone.METHODS We conducted a case-control study involving 30 male patients affected by CAF with hypertonic IAS who underwent fissurectomy and anoplasty with V-Y cutaneous flap advancement.The patients were divided into two groups:Those in group I underwent surgery alone,and those in group II underwent surgery and a botulinum toxin injection directly into the IAS.They were followed up for at least 2 years.The goals were to achieve complete healing of the patient and to assess the FI and recurrence rate along with manometry parameters.RESULTS The intensity and duration of post-defecatory pain decreased significantly in both groups of patients starting with the first defecation,and this reduction was higher in group II.Forty days after surgery,we achieved complete wound healing in all the patients in group II but only in 80%of the patients in group I(P<0.032).We recorded 2 cases of recurrence,one in each group,and both healed with conservative therapy.We recorded one temporary and low-grade postoperative case of“de novo”FI.Manometry parameters reverted to the normal range earlier for group II patients.CONCLUSION The injection of botulinum toxin A in association with fissurectomy and anoplasty with a V-Y advancement flap improves the results of surgery alone in patients affected by CAF with IAS hypertonia.

Identifying the best therapy for chronic anal fissure

Chronic anal fissure(CAF)is a painful tear or crack which occurs in the anoderm.The optimal algorithm of therapy for CAF is still debated.Lateral internal sphincterotomy(LIS)is a surgical treatment,considered as the'gold standard'therapy for CAF.It relieves CAF symptoms with a high rate of healing.Chemical sphincterotomy(CS)with nitrates,calcium blockers or botulinum toxin(BTX)is safe,with the rapid relief of pain,mild sideeffects and no risk of surgery or anesthesia,but is a statistically less effective therapy for CAF than LIS.This article considers if aggressive treatment should only be offered to patients who fail pharmacological sphincterotomy.Aspects of anal fissure etiology,epidemiology and pathophysiology are considered with their meaning for further management of CAF.A molecular model of chemical interdependence significant for the chemistry of CAF healing is examined.Its application may influence the development of optimal therapy for CAF.BTX is currently considered the most effective type of CS and discussion in this article scrutinizes this method specifically.Although the effectiveness of BTXvs LIS has been discussed,the essential focus of the article concerns identifying the best therapy application for anal fissure.Elements are presented which may help us to predict CAF healing.They provide rationale for the expansion of the CAF therapy algorithm.Ethical and economic factors are also considered in brief.As long as the patient is willing to accept the potential risk of fecal incontinence,we have grounds for the'gold standard'(LIS)as the first-line treatment for CAF.The author concludes that,when the diagnosis of the anal fissure is established,CS should be considered for both ethical and economic reasons.He is convinced that a greater understanding and recognition of benign anal disorders by the GP and a proactive involvement at the point of initial diagnosis would facilitate the consideration of CS at an earlier,more practical stage with improved outcomes for the patient.