Vaseline zinc oxide and finger anal dilatation for the treatment of anal fissure: a comparison cohort study

Introduction: Anal fissure is one of the most painful diseases of the anus region. Diverse approaches for managing this condition have been examined, however, no unanimous approach has been achieved. The current study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of topical triamcinolone NN plus Vaseline zinc oxide and finger dilation versus triamcinolone NN alone to manage anal fissures. Method: The current comparative cohort study has been conducted on ۹۰ patients suffering from anal fissures. The group of topical Vaseline zinc oxide plus finger dilation (n=۴۵) was prescribed to administer the blend of triamcinolone NN (۱ cc) and Vaseline zinc oxide (۲ cc) topically three times a day and to enter their little finger into the anus ۱۸-۲۰ times per day. Since the second week, they used the index finger. Topical triamcinolone NN only was administered by another group (n=۴۵). The patients were weekly followed for three weeks and assessed pain severity using the Visual Analog Scale and bleeding incidence. The obtained data was analyzed by SPSS software (version ۲۳). The Chi-square test, student t-test, and repeated measured ANOVA were used for data analysis. The P-value of less than ۰.۰۵ was defined as the level of significance. Results: Pain intensity (P =۰.۰۵۷) and bleeding (P =۰.۷۵) were similar in both groups at baseline, while the cases experienced significantly lower frequencies of bleeding in all follow-up visits (P <۰.۰۰۱). Pain severity was reduced significantly in cases within three weeks after the interventions (P-value<۰.۰۰۱) as well as the controls (P =۰.۰۲۱); however, the presented scores by the controls were significantly higher in all follow-up visits (P <۰.۰۰۱). Conclusion: According to the findings of this study, the administration of topical Vaseline zinc oxide and daily anal sphincter self-massage can effectively lead to anal fissure symptoms control; however, further studies with a more prolonged period of follow-up are strongly recommended. View ORCID ID Profile  You can also search for this author in PubMed    ResearchGate   Scopus    Google Scholar    Google Scholar Profile

Keywords:

Anal Canal , Anus Fissure , Zinc Oxide , Dilatation , Triamcinolone