Published in:
01-12-2018 | Motility (H Parkman and R Schey, Section Editors)
The Role of Botox in Colorectal Disorders
Published in: Current Treatment Options in Gastroenterology | Issue 4/2018
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Purpose of review
To overview the current medical literature on the efficacy of botulism toxin treatment (BTX-A) for lower gastrointestinal disorders (GIT).
Recent findings
BTX-A was found to have a short-term efficacy for the treatment of dyssynergic defecation. Surgical treatment was found to be more effective than BTX-A for the healing of chronic anal fissures, and BTX-A can be considered when surgery is undesirable. Data regarding the effects of BTX-A injection for the treatment of chronic anal pain is limited. Beneficial effects were observed only in a minority of patients. BTX-A treatment was found to be effective for the treatment of obstructive symptoms after surgery for Hirsprung’s disease as well as for the treatment of internal anal sphincter achalasia.
Summary
BTX-A treatment has a short-term efficacy and is safe. Further research is still needed in order to establish the exact place of BTX-A treatment of lower GIT disorders.