Oral nifedipine reduces resting anal pressure and heals chronic anal fissure

• Published in: British journal of surgery Vol. 86; no. 10; pp. 1269 - 1273
• Main Authors: Cook, T. A., Humphreys, M. M. Smilgin, Mortensen, N. J. McC
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford, UK Blackwell Science Ltd 01-10-1999; Wiley
• Subjects: Administration, Oral; Adult; Biological and medical sciences; Calcium Channel Blockers - administration & dosage; Chronic Disease; Digestive system; Female; Fissure in Ano - drug therapy; Fissure in Ano - physiopathology; Gastroenterology. Liver. Pancreas. Abdomen; Humans; Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Nifedipine - administration & dosage; Other diseases. Semiology; Pain; Pharmacology. Drug treatments; Pressure; Stomach. Duodenum. Small intestine. Colon. Rectum. Anus; Time Factors; Wound Healing - drug effects; Human; Manometry; Calcium antagonist; Oral administration; Pressure; Nifedipine; Chemotherapy; Treatment; Anal fissure; Digestive diseases; Intestinal disease; Dihydropyridine derivatives; Biological effect; Cicatrization; Anorectal disease
• ISSN: 0007-1323; 1365-2168
• DOI: 10.1046/j.1365-2168.1999.01292.x

Background:
Topical preparations have been used in the treatment of anal fissure. However, they are not universally successful and there is confusion over the site and dose of application. This study assessed the effectiveness of oral nifedipine in reducing resting anal pressure and on fissure healing.
Methods:
Anal manometry was performed on eight healthy volunteers and 15 patients with chronic anal fissure before and after oral administration of nifedipine 20 mg. Nifedipine was taken twice daily. Fissure healing was assessed over an 8‐week period and pain scores were monitored.
Results:
Oral nifedipine produced an initial reduction in maximum resting anal pressure (MRP) of 35 per cent (P < 0·001) and of 28 per cent after 5 days (P < 0·001) in healthy volunteers. A reduction in MRP of 36 per cent (P < 0·001) was observed in patients with fissure. Pain scores were significantly reduced during the treatment period. Healing was complete in nine patients after 8 weeks and a further three were asymptomatic. Ten patients experience flushing and four had mild headaches. There were no episodes of postural hypotension or incontinence.
Conclusion:
Oral nifedipine reduces resting anal pressure. It is well tolerated and offers an alternative treatment for chronic anal fissure. © 1999 British Journal of Surgery Society Ltd