Fissures

What is Anal Fissure?

An anal fissure is a small cut in the mucosa (thin, moist tissue) that lines the anus or in the lining of the anal opening. It is not a serious problem although it may lead to discomfort and pain which may become intolerable if not treated at the right time.  It may lead to itching, pain, and bleed while making bowel movements. An anal fissure may occur on passing hard stools. It is common for young infants because they tend to pass hard stools, although an anal fissure can affect any age group of people.  Normally, it may get healed within 4-6 weeks but if it does not recover within 2 months, it is considered chronic, patients are required to visit the doctor immediately.

Medication may relieve the patient from the pain temporarily whereas the surgery will cure the disease of the root…

What are the Types of Anal Fissure?

• Acute/Fresh Fissure: that occurs and heals within 4-6 weeks through natural and home remedies only.
• Chronic Fissures: that are older than 8 weeks. Chronic fissures do not get cured by natural remedies.

What are the Causes of Anal Fissure?

Some common causes are:-

• Chronic constipation
• Passing hard, large and dry stools
• Foreign Body Insertions
• Anal Intercourse
• Chronic Diarrhoea
• Trauma or injury
• Lifting heavy weights
• Obesity 

What are The Signs & Symptoms of Anal Fissure?

The patient can not see the wound himself, however, he may experience the signs and symptoms of the fissure. These are listed below:-

• Itching in the anal area
• Mild pain in the anal area
• Pain while passing stool
• Discomfort
• Severe pain while making bowel movements
• Bleeding in the stool
• Visible crack in the lining of the anal opening
• Small Lump or skin tag on the skin near the anal lining
• Burning sensation in the anal area
• Spasms in the muscle at the end of the anus
• Swelling in the anal region
• Discomfort while sitting

How to Diagnose Anal Fissure?

Sometimes anal fissures are confused with piles or hemorrhoids, whereas Anal fissure can be evaluated with the crack in the anal lining. An anal fissure is ruled out through physical examination by a general surgeon /Proctologist. Some Diagnostic tools are required in diagnosing anal fissure apart from the physical examination, these are:-

• Colonoscopy
• Anoscopy
• Flexible sigmoidoscopy

What are the Possible Treatments of Anal Fissure?

Treatment for anal fissure depends upon the severity of the case. If acute or fresh fissure, it can be cured temporarily with the help of medicines and home remedies but a chronic Anal fissure needs to be treated with some surgical intervention as suggested by the doctor.

What are the Non Surgical ways to cure Fissures?

Some stool softeners and topical pain relievers may heal and relieve the discomfort.

Oral treatments, ointment, creams, and medications.

These will not offer permanent treatment but will surely cure the signs and symptoms raised.

Do we require a Surgery for Fissure?

To treat chronic fissure, surgery is always required to treat the problem from the root. Acute or Fresh Fissure can be relieved temporarily with the help of medicines, ointments or following healthy diets.

What are the Surgical Options for Fissures?

Surgical Treatments:- Lateral internal sphincterotomy (LIS) and Laser surgery are the surgical options for treating chronic fissures permanently.

Laser treatment of anal fissures in Delhi, India is the choice of treatment in case of the chronic fissure.

What are the Benefits of Laser Treatment of Anal Fissure?

• Daycare procedure
• Non-invasive procedure
• No Cuts & Wounds
• A patient can resume to normal routine from next day
• Painless procedure
• Less risk of infection
• Minimal bleeding
• Easy and fast recovery
• High success rate

To know more, Read our blogs.