Fissure

What is Fissure?

Anorectal disorders including fissures and hemorrhoids are among the most common digestive complications. The anus is the last part of one’s digestive system from where the waste leaves the body in the form of stools.

An Anal Fissure or Fissure or Butt Cut is a small tear in the tissue lining of the anus. It is very similar to the condition of chapped dry lips. It is a common condition effecting 1 out of every 6 patients that visit a colorectal surgeon. Most patients in India, use home treatments for fissures often mixing it up for piles, however, if the problem persists medicinal or surgical treatment may be required. In the case of a more severe tear, an external lump will form on the anus.

SYMPTOMS

Fissures is more painful than piles which often makes a person suffering from it to curb his/her visits to the toilet.

Pain during bowel movement

Pain after the bowel movements

Blood on the stool or toilet paper

Anal itching

Visible damage to the skin of the anus

A small lump close to the anal fissure

CAUSES

Constipation or prolonged diarrhea

Large/hard stools that stretch the anal canal

Daily stress and unease

Crohn’s disease or other forms of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)

Childbirth

Anal intercourse

Unease during the bowel movements

Old age when the blood flow to the anal area decreases

TREATMENT

Using laxatives/stool softeners.

Increasing the intake of fluids.

Additional fiber supplements/including more fibrous foods (raw fruits and vegetables) to the diet.

A sitz bath to relax the anal muscles, relieve irritation, and increase blood flow to the anorectal area.

Externally applied medical agents, to help increase blood flow to the fissure and promote healing and to help relax the anal sphincter.

Surgical options

Mumbai Piles Clinic, Apollo Spectra Hospital, Chembur is known for the best laser treatment for fissures.

Our Expertise

Laser Sphincterolysis:

Latest laser treatment for fissure is used to treat chronic anal fissures. Minimally invasive laser sphincterotomy for fissures ensure the fastest healing time with no scars.

Done under anesthesia with laser electrocoagulation of the fissure, it leaves the internal sphincter almost intact.

OTHER TREATMENTS AVAILABLE AT THE CLINIC

Botox Chemical Sphincterotomy

Botox Injection for anal fissures is widely used. Over 60% of the patients suffering from fissure have successfully cured using this procedure. The Botox (botulinum toxin) is injected into the anal sphincter. This injection is used to prevent spasm and cause temporary paralytic relaxation until the tissues are renewed. It takes about three months for the anal fissure to heal. Chemical sphincterotomy is an effective treatment for chronic anal fissure performed under local anesthesia and not requiring hospitalization.

Fissurectomy

Fissurectomy for anal fissures, combines postoperative laxative therapy. As this does not contain dilatation of the internal anal sphincter, the risk of iatrogenic faecal incontinence is avoided to a greater extent.

Open lateral internal sphincterotomy (OLIS)

OLIS for fissures is a method used for relaxing fibers of internal anal sphincter, which result in healing of the ulcer.

Closed lateral internal sphincterotomy (CLIS)

CLIS for fissures is a minimal invasive surgical method to lower the resting anal pressure to heal the fissures. The doctor performs the surgical procedure with the patient under general or spinal anesthesia. CLIS requires lesser hospital stay and has reduced postoperative pain as compared to OLIS.

Surgery

Also commonly used in India, flap anoplasty or flap surgery for anal fissures is a primary treatment in high pressure anal fissures.