Search

The Online Encyclopedia and Dictionary

 
     
 

Encyclopedia

Dictionary

Quotes

   
 

Anal fissure

Anal fissure is an unnatural crack or tear in the Censored page, usually extending from the anal opening and the midline of the anus. Anal fissure is usually shallow (less than a quarter of inch or 0.64 cm deep).

Contents

Causes

Most anal fissures are caused by stretching of the anal sphincter muscle beyond its capability. Various causes of this fissure include:

Anal fissure is common in women after childbirth and in infants.

Symptoms

The symptoms of anal fissure include:

  • Pain during, and even hours after, defecation
  • Visible tear in the anus
  • Blood in stool or on toilet paper
  • Constipation

Prevention

In infants under one year old, frequent diaper change can prevent anal fissure. For adults, the following can help prevent fissure:

  • Treating constipation by eating food rich in fiber, drinking a lot of water, and taking stool softener
  • Treating diarrhea promptly
  • Lubricating the anal canal with petroleum jelly
  • Avoiding straining or prolonged sitting on the toilet
  • Using a moist wipe instead of perfumed and harsh toilet paper.
  • Keeping the anus dry and hygienic.

Treatment

A large majority of fissure are shallow or superficial fissure. These fissures self-heal within a couple of weeks. While waiting for the fissure to heal, topical or suppository containing anti-inflammatory agents and local anesthetic can be used. Furthermore, treatment used for hemorrhoid such as eating a high-fiber diet, using stool softener, taking pain killer and sitz bath can help.

Anal fissures in infants usually self-heal without anything more than frequently changing diapers.

Deep fissures, on the other hand, may require surgery. These painful fissures cut through the sphincter muscle thus making it prone to spasm, which exacerbates the fissure and aborting the healing process. Surgical procedures for deep anal fissure are:

  • Anal dilation or stretching of the anal canal.
  • internal lateral sphincterotomy or excising a portion of the sphincter.

Despite the high success rate of these surgical procedures (~95%), there are potential side effects, which include: risks from local anesthesia, infection, anal leakage or fecal incontinence.

Medications can also be prescribed. Nitroglycerine and nifedipine ointments can relax the sphincter muscle, thus allowing the healing to proceed. Botulinum toxin injection can also be used to relax the sphincter muscle.

External Links

  • Anal Fissure Self Help Page http://www.boardsailor.com/jack/af/
  • Hemorrhoids In Plain English - Anal Fissure http://www.hemorrhoidsinplainenglish.com/anorectal/anal-fissure.htm
  • McKinley Health Center - Anal Fissure http://www.mckinley.uiuc.edu/health-info/dis-cond/misc/analfissure.html
  • MedicineNet - Anal Fissure http://www.medicinenet.com/Anal_Fissure/article.htm
  • Cellegy - Clinical Trials on Anal Fissure http://www.cellegy.com/clinical/anal_fissures.html


Last updated: 05-02-2005 19:49:53