WHAT IS AN ANAL FISSURE?

An anal fissure is a small tear or crack in the skin that lines the anus. Symptoms of an anal fissure usually include pain and bleeding.

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF AN ANAL FISSURE?

Symptoms of an anal fissure include sharp, severe pain during or following bowel movements. Other symptoms that may occur are bleeding, itching, and a malodorous discharge.

WHAT CAUSES AN ANAL FISSURE?

Anal fissures are caused primarily by trauma; anything that can irritate or cause lacerations to the inner lining of the anus. (E.g. Hard stools).
However, there are other non-traumatic causes such as diarrhea or inflammation of the anal canal.

Anal fissures may be acute (recent onset) or chronic (present for a long time or recurring frequently). Chronic fissures are often present with a small external lump called a skin tag or sentinel pile.

HOW CAN A FISSURE BE TREATED?

In acute fissures, medical (nonoperative) therapy is successful in majority of patients. 90% of acute fissures will heal with conservative measures. To treat a fissure, one must first treat the root cause of the fissure.

Constipation: High-fiber diet, stool softeners and plenty of fluids

Diarrhea: Increase dietary fiber

Topical Creams: Application of Zinc oxide, Preparation H, Anusol, or 1% hydrocortisone may help relieve symptoms.
Application of a 0.2% nitroglycerin ointment or calcium channel blockers have been shown to improve healing in acute and chronic fissures.

Botulinum toxin: Injection of Botox into the anal sphincter muscle to relieve the anal spasm from the anal fissure.

Surgery

WHAT CAN BE DONE IF A FISSURE DOESN’T HEAL?

If a fissure fails to respond to treatment, it should be re-examined. Constant scarring, hard or loose stool movements, or spasm of the internal anal sphincter muscle contribute to delayed healing. Other conditions such as infections, inflammatory bowel disease, anal tumors may cause fissure-like symptoms and should be examined.

WHAT DOES SURGERY INVOLVE?

Surgery is a highly effective form of treatment for a fissure. Recurrence after surgery is low. The procedure is commonly called a Lateral Internal Sphincterotomy: a portion of the internal anal sphincter muscle is divided. This helps the fissure heal and decreases spasms.
In the event that a sentinel pile is found present, it too may be removed to promote healing of the fissure.

HOW LONG DOES THE HEALING PROCESS TAKE AFTER SURGERY?

Pain will often disappear in a few days and complete healing usually occurs within two to four weeks after surgery.