An Anal Fissure is a small tear in the thin, moist tissue (Mucosa) that lines the anus. An anal fissure may occur when you pass hard or large stools during a bowel movement. Anal fissures typically cause pain and bleeding with bowel movements. You also may experience spasms in the ring of muscle at the end of your anus (Anal Sphincter).
Anal fissures are very common in young infants but can affect people of any age. Most anal fissures get better with simple treatments, such as increased fiber intake or sitz baths. Some people with anal fissures may need medication or, occasionally, surgery.
Passing hard and large stools are generally the cause of an Anal Fissure. Other causes of Anal Fissure may include
An Anal Fissure can be treated with both medical and surgical means. In the case of acute anal fissure, which is generally caused by constipation or irregular bowel movements – medications can help relieve pain and heal the fissure. In the case of chronic fissures, medicines are of little help, and surgery is generally recommended.
Surgical treatment of Anal Fissure-
The usual surgery for fissures is a lateral sphincterotomy. through a small incision near the anal mucosa, some fibres of the internal sphincter are divided, which provide relief from the spasm of the muscle fibres. usually the patient is discharged in a day or 2. very rarely there may be some infectious complications and incontinence of stools, post-operatively.
An Anal Fissure can’t always be prevented, but you can reduce your risk of getting one by taking the following preventive measures: