Combined approach in the treatment of chronic anal fissures

This study was designed to evaluate the healing and complications rates in surgically and conservatively treated patients with chronic anal fissure. Conservative treatment consisted of nitrate or diltiazem ointment. In case of surgery, fissurectomy was performed. In total, 340 patients were included in the study. Among them, 162 patients had surgery and 178 patients had conservative treatment. The healing rate at surgically treated group of patients varied between 95 and 98% depending on previous treatment. Group treated with nitrate ointment and group treated with diltiazem ointment showed, respectively 62% and 52% healing rates. Difference between ointments was not statistically significant. Average healing time was between 105 and 123 days and complication rates were between 1.7 and 5.4%. The surgical treatment showed much higher healing rates and thus should recommended as primary treatment option for the chronic anal fissure, especially if there are chronic secondary lesions already present. In case of conservative treatment, either nitrate or diltiazem ointment could be used with similar efficacy.