Anal Fissures: Botox Injections
Topic Overview
Injections of botulinum toxin (Botox) may help heal a tear
(fissure) in the
anus.
The internal anal sphincter, one of
two muscles that control the anus, is always under tension. If this tension
(also called resting pressure) is too high, spasms and reduced blood flow can
cause an anal fissure or prevent an existing one from healing. Botulinum toxin,
the poison that causes
botulism, temporarily paralyzes the internal anal
sphincter. This reduces the spasm and allows the fissure to heal.
Botulinum injections may be more helpful than nitroglycerin ointment, but
the studies do not all agree.1, 2 A review of many studies showed that injections of botulinum
toxin were no better at healing anal fissure than nitroglycerin
ointment.3 Fissures may return after treatment with
Botox is discontinued.
Side effects of botulinum injections may
include the inability to control the passage of gas (gas incontinence), pain
from the injections, bleeding, infection at the injection site, and
fecal incontinence. Most people do not have any side
effects.
Botulinum toxin injections can
be expensive.
References
Citations
- Fruehauf H, et al. (2006). Efficacy and safety of
botulinum toxin A injection compared with topical nitroglycerin ointment for
the treatment of chronic anal fissure: A prospective randomized study.
American Journal of Gastroenterology, 101(9):
2107–2112.
- Brisinda G, et al. (2007). Randomized clinical trial
comparing botulinum toxin injections with 0.2 per cent nitroglycerin ointment
for chronic anal fissure. British Journal of Surgery,
94(2): 162–167.
- Nelson R (2006). Non-surgical therapy
for anal fissure. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (4).
Credits
| By | Healthwise Staff |
|---|
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Anne C. Poinier, MD - Internal Medicine |
|---|
| Specialist Medical Reviewer | C. Dale Mercer, MD, FRCSC, FACS - General Surgery |
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| Last Revised | May 15, 2012 |
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Last Revised:
May 15, 2012
Fruehauf H, et al. (2006). Efficacy and safety of
botulinum toxin A injection compared with topical nitroglycerin ointment for
the treatment of chronic anal fissure: A prospective randomized study.
American Journal of Gastroenterology, 101(9):
2107–2112.
Brisinda G, et al. (2007). Randomized clinical trial
comparing botulinum toxin injections with 0.2 per cent nitroglycerin ointment
for chronic anal fissure. British Journal of Surgery,
94(2): 162–167.
Nelson R (2006). Non-surgical therapy
for anal fissure. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (4).
