Digestive Disorders |
Anal fissure01/04/1999 |
I am looking for ways to cure an anal fissure
Many anal fissures heal with a regimen aimed at softening the stool and providing topical relief with sitz baths and ointments. Topical nitroglycerin often affords dramatic relief. Surgery is sometimes required. Since excessive anal sphincter pressures are a common finding in patients with chronic fissures, surgical approaches are aimed at decreasing the sphincter pressure (sphincterotomy). Recently, good results have been reported using injections of botulinum toxin (BoTox) into the sphincter to relax the muscle. Treatment of this condition is best overseen by either a gastroenterologist or surgeon.
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Michael Patrick Jones, MD, FACP Director, Center for Digestive Motility Disorders College of Medicine University of Cincinnati |