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Chronic anal fissure

Surgical or reversible neurochemical sphincterotomy?

The management of chronic anal fissure has received renewed interest and has been re-evaluated over the past 20 years. The use of botulinum toxin seems to be a promising and safe approach, particularly in patients at high risk for incontinence. A recent meta-analysis investigated the efficacy of botulinum toxin injection compared with lateral internal sphincterotomy for the management of this condition.

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Correspondence to Giuseppe Brisinda.

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Brisinda, G., Vanella, S. Surgical or reversible neurochemical sphincterotomy?. Nat Rev Gastroenterol Hepatol 6, 694–695 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1038/nrgastro.2009.200

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