COMPARISON OF HEALING RATE OF ANAL FISSURE WITH 0.2% GLYCERYL TRINITRATE OINTMENT VERSUS 2% NIFEDIPINE OINTMENT

Abstract

Objective: To compare the efficacy of topical 0.2% glyceryl trinitrate (GTN) ointment with 2% Nifedipine ointment in healing of anal fissure.

Study Design: Quasi experimental study.

Place and Duration of Study: Department of Surgery, Combined Military Hospital (CMH) Dera Nawab Sahib, from Oct 2015 to Oct 2016.

Methodology: A total of 330 patients were divided into two groups (group A and group B) with 165 patients in each group using lottery method. Patients in group A were treated with topical application of 0.2% glyceryl trinitrate ointment for four weeks while group B patients were treated with topical 0.2% nifedipine. Patients were followed up after four weeks of initiation of treatment and healing of fissure was assessed. Frequency of healing of fissure in both groups was calculated and compared.

Results: Healing rate of anal fissure was found significantly higher in group B (79.4%) as compared to group A (63.6%). The p-value was found to be 0.002 which was statistically significant. However, gender had no effect on fissure healing (p-value 0.413).

Conclusion: Topical 2% nifedipine ointment therapy was superior to 0.2% glyceryl trinitrate ointment in terms of healing of anal fissure.