Percutaneous Tibial Nerve Stimulation (PTNS) for the Treatment of Chronic Anal Fissure

Chronic anal fissure rarely heals spontaneously. About 50% heal on administration om topical muscle relaxants (e.g. diltiazem) and/or injection of Botulinum toxin, but for the remainder of patients surgery (with lateral internal sphincterotomy or fissurectomy) with subsequent risks of anal incontinence has been the golden standard. Treatment with PTNS (percutaneous tibial nerve stimulation) has been showed to produce healing of chronic anal fissures not responding to topical treatment, thus avoiding the risk for debilitating anal incontinence.