Percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation (PTNS): an alternative treatment option for chronic therapy resistant anal fissure

Abstract

Background: The aim of the present study was to evaluate percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation (PTNS) for treatment resistant chronic anal fissure.

Methods: Consecutive patients with chronic anal fissure were treated with neuromodulation via the posterior tibial nerve between October 2013 and January 2014. Patients had PTNS for 30 min on 10 consecutive days. All patients had failed conventional medical treatment. The visual analogue scale (VAS) score, St. Marks score, Wexner's constipation score, Brief Pain Inventory (BPI-SF), bleeding and mucosal healing were evaluated before treatment, at termination, after 3 months, and then yearly for 3 years.

Results: Ten patients (4 males and 6 females; mean age 49.8 years) were identified but only 9 were evaluated as one patient's fissure healed before PTNS was started. At 3-year follow-up, fissures had remained completely healed in 5 out of 9 patients. All patients stopped bleeding and were almost completely pain-free at 3 years (VAS p = 0.010) and pain relief improved from 50% at completion to 90% at 3 years. The patients' Wexner constipation scores improved significantly (p = 0.007).

Conclusions: In this small series, PTNS enhanced healing of chronic anal fissure and reduced pain and bleeding with an associated improvement in bowel function.

Keywords: Anal fissure; Electrical stimulation; Percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation; Sacral nerve stimulation; Wound healing.