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What is a fissure?
The term fissure here refers to an anal fissure, which is a painful condition affecting the anus region of the body. An anal fissure refers to a cut or a thin tear in the tissue that lines the inner part of the anus. A fissure is similar to a crack and it can even cause muscle around the anus to get exposed.
Anal fissures are very painful and they can affect people of all ages (from infants to the elderly). Surgery is the best fissure treatment and the procedure is simple.
Types of Fissures
Primary fissures
These types of anal fissures are caused due to injury to the local tissues. Primary fissures are traditionally non-threatening and short-lived in nature. A lot of reasons contribute to primary fissures, like chronic diarrhoea, vaginal childbirth, hard stool passage and recurring trauma and injury around the anal area.
Secondary fissure
Secondary fissures tend to occur in patients with inflammatory bowel disease, patients who have had surgeries in the anus, infections and even cancer around the anal area. They can also occur due to Crohn’s disease or chlamydia infections.
Causes
Chronic Constipation
Chronic constipation can cause difficulties in the passage of stool since it causes the stool to harden. The passage of stool during constipation can cause tears in the inner lining of the anus leading to an anal fissure.
Strained Bowel Movement
Strained bowel movements can cause stress on the anus leading to cuts on the inner lining.
Prolonged Diarrhoea
Prolonged diarrhoea causes strain on the anus which can lead to the development of fissures.
Anal Sex
The performance of anal sex can cause stress on the anus and cause tears inside the anus.
Trauma
Trauma on the anus due to surgery, insertion of foreign objects or accidental trauma can cause cuts in the inner lining of the anus.
Crohn’s Disease
Crohn’s disease is an autoimmune disease that causes irritable bowel. This leads to pressure on the anus resulting in fissures.
Sexually Transmitted Disease
STDs like gonorrhoea or HIV and AIDS can also lead to the development of anal fissures.
Anal (Rectal) Cancer
Fissuring can be the result of anal cancer too.
Symptoms
Pain in the anus region
Anal fissure causes a lot of pain in and around the anus, which exaggerates while passing stools and is persistent even after it.
Painful bowel movement
Painful bowel movement is an indicator of an anal fissure.
Passage of blood with stool
If you notice bright red blood being passed along with the stool, it may be an indicator of a fissure.
Visible crack on the skin
A fissure can cause a visible tear or crack in the skin near the region of the anus and the surrounding area.
Skin tag near the anus
Skin tags are small outgrowths of the skin that can form as a result of anal fissures.
Burning sensation
A burning sensation in the anal passage or the region surrounding the anus is also an indicator of a fissure.
Discharge from anus
An anal fissure can lead to infection in the anus leading to the discharge of foul-smelling fluids.
Prevention
Be Gentle
Using rough materials (such as stiff toilet paper or cloth) can scratch, irritate or inflame the soft tissues in the anal region. Additionally, not being gentle while cleaning the anus can directly lead to fissures. Always be gentle and use soft materials when cleaning the area.
Chemical-free Products
Using scented paper or products when cleaning the region may also cause irritation, especially if you already have sensitive skin. Choose soaps, cleansers and toilet paper that is unscented and free from added chemical sand colouring.
Healthy Bowel Habits
Practise healthy bowel habits like taking your time when going to the toilet, seeking medical help for any instance of diarrhoea or constipation, avoiding straining when you pass bowel and going to the toilet when you feel the urge instead of trying to hold it in.
Food and Exercise
Maintain a diet with ample amounts of dietary fibre and drink plenty of water every day. Both of these can support smooth digestion and avoid constipation. Additionally, try to exercise regularly to support a healthier digestive system.
Fissure Diagnosis and Treatment Options
Fissure consequences and risks
- Inability to Heal: An anal fissure that has not healed even after eight weeks will become chronic leading to multiple anal fissures and inevitably require fissure treatment.
- Tear that Affects Surrounding Muscles: Anal fissures can often extend and affect the muscles responsible for keeping the anus closed making the healing process quite complicated and painful. It is best advised to get a fissure treatment done as soon as possible.
- Recurrence: If a fissure treatment is left unaddressed for self-healing, the chances of recurrence becomes high.
Anal fissure symptoms
- Pain in the anus region
- Painful bowel movement
- Passage of blood with stool
- Visible crack on the skin
- Skin tag near the anus
- Burning sensation
- Discharge from anus
Anal fissure diagnosis
A doctor will conduct a diagnosis before suggesting an appropriate fissure treatment. The diagnosis of the fissure is first conducted by the doctor through an external visual examination of the anus. The doctor may also recommend certain diagnostic tests like anoscopy, colonoscopy or sigmoidoscopy. All of these methods image the internal part of the anus or the intestines to determine the fissuring. All diagnostic tests are taken care of when you book your surgery with PharmEasy.
Fissure treatment
Here are some surgical options for the treatment of anal fissures :
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Lateral Sphincterotomy Lateral sphincterotomy is the most recommended fissure surgery by doctors. The procedure is painless and is the least invasive fissure surgery procedure. The process involves making an incision in the sphincter muscle (i.e the anal muscle that helps with the passage of stool) with the use of a highly precise laser beam. This helps ease the tension on the fissure and allows the affected area to heal. The procedure is very simple and it helps eliminate the chances of recurrence.
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Advancement Anal Flaps This anal fissure surgery is usually undertaken to cure cases of chronic fissure. In this surgery, healthy tissue is taken from another part of the body and used to repair the damage caused by the fissure.
** All content is written and reviewed by medical experts
What our customers have to say
Frequently asked questions
Is beer drinking good for piles and fissures?
There is no direct relationship between alcohol and piles. No research or studies have shown that beer is good or people who have piles and fissures can see symptoms of getting better by drinking beer. Alcohol is not good for health, so it is always better to avoid it.
Is there any fissure treatment without surgery?
Yes, there are non-surgical methods to aid fissure treatment however, surgery remains the best treatment option when advised by a doctor. To treat the anal fissure without surgery, the doctor uses muscle relaxant creams, lignocaine jelly, laxatives, etc. The doctor may also suggest treatment by soaking the affected area in lukewarm water (sitz bath).
Is it painful after getting an anal fissure surgery?
No, there is no pain after an anal fissure surgery and the procedure allows you to heal quickly.
Is there a loss of continence after the fissure surgery?
The anal fissure surgery does not cause any loss of continence.
What are the chances of recurrence of anal fissure after the surgery?
The chances of recurrence of anal fissures after surgery is minimal, provided that you maintain your diet and also stick to a healthy lifestyle.
How to cure fissures permanently at home?
There are several home remedies like sitz and Epsom salt baths. Also, you can include good fibre in your diet. However, there are no guaranteed ways to permanently cure fissures at home. Surgery or medicines advised by a doctor can only help to get rid of fissure symptoms completely.
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Why Fissure Surgery?
- One day procedures to aid quick recovery
- Latest laser equipment used for the performance of surgery
- Procedures with minimal pain or no pain at all
- Cuts and stitches are kept minimal
- The surgical procedure will not leave a scar on your body
- A very low recurrence rate of disease after surgery
- Surgeons with over 7 years of experience
- No bleeding or very little bleeding during surgery
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