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Anal fissure is a tear in the lining of the anus, the opening through which the stool is passed out of the body. An anal fissure can occur for multiple reasons. However, the most common is passing large or hard stools during a bowel movement. Anal fissures can cause a sensation of tearing, burning, or tipping during bowel movement. Anal fissures are quite common and can occur in anyone at any age. However, they are often confused with other anal conditions, like haemorrhoids.
Common symptoms of an anal fissure include:
Anal fissures usually occur due to hard or large bowel movements. The condition is caused by trauma to the inner lining of the anus. Chronic constipation can also tear the skin around the anus, causing an anal fissure. It can also be caused due to anal stretching. In some cases, an anal fissure may develop due to underlying conditions like herpes, syphilis, HIV, and more. Other causes include:
Anal fissures can be classified as follows:
Apart from this, anal fissures are categorised as primary and secondary fissures. The primary anal fissure is short-lived and occurs due to an injury to the local tissues. The injury may be caused due to passage or large or hard stools, chronic diarrhoea, childbirth, and more. Secondary anal fissures often occur due to an underlying condition or surgeries in the anus, inflammatory bowel disease, infections, and more.
Your doctor will ask about your symptoms and will perform a physical examination to look at the anal fissure by proctoscope if needed, or possible sigmoidoscopy is recommended.
Treatment for anal fissure may not be necessary as it often heals within a few weeks with conservative treatment. However, in chronic anal fissures, the doctor might recommend surgery.
Anal fissures are generally non-threatening and heal within a few weeks. However, it can result in other complications like chronic anal fissures, perianal abscesses, anal fistulas, and anal stenosis in some instances.
The outlook for anal fissure is generally good. Acute fissures can be easily treated with home treatment, including using stool softeners, lifestyle changes, a high-fibre diet, sitz baths, and more. However, not all fissures are healed with home treatment. In this case, surgical treatments are required. After the surgery, most patients can return to day-to-day work after a few days. Total recovery can take 6 to 10 weeks. But in some refractory cases of acute fissures in ano - Lateral sphincterotomy (LSIS) may be needed.
Reviewed by Dr. Alok Gupta, Associate Director, Institute of Minimal Access, Laparoscopic & Bariatric Surgery on 11-August-2023.
Max Healthcare is home to 5000 eminent doctors in the world, most of whom are pioneers in their respective fields. Additionally, they are renowned for developing innovative and revolutionary clinical procedures.
Max Healthcare is home to 5000 eminent doctors in the world, most of whom are pioneers in their respective fields. Additionally, they are renowned for developing innovative and revolutionary clinical procedures.
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