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. 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.
Keywords: Anal fissure; Botox; Chronic anal pain; Dyssynergic defecation; Hirsprung’s disease; Internal anal sphincter achalasia.