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The Efficacy of Botulinum Toxin Alone Versus Combined Botulinum Toxin and Topical Diltiazem in Chronic Anal Fissure

Retrospective Analysis on the Efficacy of Botulinum Toxin Alone Versus Combined Botulinum Toxin and Topical Diltiazem in Chronic Anal Fissure: Short and Long-term Outcomes From a Single Center

Status
Completed
Phases
Unknown
Study type
Observational
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT05797220
Enrollment
217
Registered
2023-04-04
Start date
2016-11-04
Completion date
2024-08-30
Last updated
2024-09-04

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Anal Fissure Chronic

Keywords

botulinum toxin, anal fissure, diltiazem

Brief summary

Anal fissure (AF) is a painful tear extending from the anal canal to the dentate line. Although the exact pathophysiology is not known, an increase in anal tonus, decreased ano-dermal blood flow and local ischemia are possible mechanisms. The most effective treatment modality in chronic AF is lateral internal sphincterotomy however, incontinence rates are still reported as high as 8-30%. Topical diltiazem and botulinum toxin (BT) injection are good alternatives to surgery with lack of persistent side effects, easy applicability, and reproducibility, however, recurrence rates were reported up to 50% for each. A combination of BT with topical diltiazem may provide better results in terms of healing and recurrence. In this retrospective analysis a comparison of BT injection alone and BT injection combined with topical diltiazem treatment was performed.

Interventions

DRUGBotulinum Toxin Type A Injection [Botox] + Diltiazem Hydrochloride 20 Mg/G Rectal Gel

Sponsors

Istanbul Medipol University Hospital
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Observational model
COHORT
Time perspective
RETROSPECTIVE

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to No maximum

Inclusion criteria

* Patients with complaints longer than 8 weeks (chronic anal fissure) * Patients who completed at least 24 months of follow-up (3rd day, 10th day, 1st-month, and 2nd-month face-to-face clinic visits and 6, 12, and 24 months phone calls) * Patients who received conservative treatments including topical diltiazem and nitrites

Exclusion criteria

* Patients with previous anal surgery (lateral internal sphincterotomy, hemorrhoidectomy, anal fistula) * Patients with inflammatory bowel diseases * Patients with accompanying anorectal disease (hemorrhoids, anal fistula, abscess) * Patients who underwent botulinum toxin injection within 1 year before recruitment * Patients with anterior, lateral, or multiple fissures * Comorbidities (AIDS, sexually transmitted disease, tuberculosis, leukemia) * Pregnancy * Prescription of calcium canal blockers or nitrites * Hypersensitivity to diltiazem or botulinum toxin * Patients without anal pain

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Fissure healing at 1 month1 monthEvaluation of complete epithelization of the fissure by the principal investigator by rectal examination
Days to pain-free defecation1 monthPatient reported time until pain-free defecation. This will be evaluated on 3rd day, 10th day and 1-month outpatient visits.

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Complete healing at 48 months48 monthsAny recurrent symptoms evaluated by the surgeon within 2 months in the outpatient clinic and reported by the patient at phone call follow-up at 6 months, 12 months, 24 months, and 48 months.

Countries

Turkey (Türkiye)

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026