A prospective randomized trial of diltiazem and glyceryltrinitrate ointment in the treatment of chronic anal fissure.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

The aim of this study was to compare prospectively diltiazem with GTN ointment in the treatment of anal fissure.

PATIENTS AND METHODS:

Of 43 outpatients with chronic anal fissure, 22 patients were randomized to topical diltiazem (2%) ointment and 21 patients to glyceryltrinitrate (GTN) (0.5%) ointment twice daily for 8 weeks. During the course of treatment each patient was seen three times. Side-effects and healing were recorded.

RESULTS:

Healing occurred in 19 of 22 patients treated with diltiazem and 18 of 21 patients were cured with GTN (P = 0.95). Those who were treated with nitroglycerin ointment developed headache and dizziness developed after GTN in 33.3% of cases while no patient had any side-effects after diltiazem.

CONCLUSIONS:

Diltiazem and glyceryltrinitrate (GTN) were equally effective in healing anal fissure but the former resulted in fewer side-effects.

• Authors: K Bielecki, M Kolodziejczak
• Journal: Colorectal disease : the official journal of the Association of Coloproctology of Great Britain and Ireland (Colorectal Dis) Vol. 5 Issue 3 Pg. 256-7 (May 2003) ISSN: 1462-8910 [Print] England
• PMID: 12780888 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Comparative Study, Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial)

Chemical References

• Ointments
• Vasodilator Agents
• Diltiazem
• Nitroglycerin

Topics

• Administration, Topical
• Adult
• Aged
• Chronic Disease
• Diltiazem (administration & dosage, adverse effects, therapeutic use)
• Female
• Fissure in Ano (drug therapy)
• Humans
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Nitroglycerin (administration & dosage, adverse effects, therapeutic use)
• Ointments
• Prospective Studies
• Time Factors
• Vasodilator Agents (administration & dosage, adverse effects, therapeutic use)
• Wound Healing (drug effects)