Anal fissure, or anal crack, refers to tears in the anus that occur due to prolonged periods of constipation and diarrhea.
Anal fissures can cause symptoms such as pain, sensitivity, burning, and bleeding. These symptoms can significantly impact social life, causing distress and distancing patients from their normal activities.
Despite the discomfort, patients often hesitate to discuss such issues for social and moral reasons, avoiding seeking medical help until the severity of symptoms drives them to consult a healthcare professional. Unfortunately, by the time they seek medical attention, the opportunity for early treatment is often missed. The majority of cases of this condition can achieve complete healing with early medical intervention.
In the treatment of anal fissures, identifying and addressing the underlying cause is crucial for successful resolution. Once the root cause is treated, improvement is typically observed.
Anal fissure is most commonly caused by constipation and prolonged diarrhea. The resulting crack can be extremely painful, with patients describing bowel movements as akin to passing broken glass. The intensity of pain and the presence of bleeding depend on the size of the fissure. After each bowel movement, patients may experience prolonged pain and feel the need to rest.
Knowing that they will experience pain with each visit to the toilet, patients often reduce the frequency of bathroom trips. Due to pain, they may involuntarily tense their anal muscles, exacerbating the pain and progression of symptoms related to the fissure. To break this vicious cycle, it is crucial to address constipation, and patients should not delay going to the toilet when the need arises.
The symptoms of anal fissure include a sensation of tearing during bowel movements, pain, bleeding, difficulty in bowel movements, and itching. These symptoms are similar to those of other anal conditions. The diagnosis can be confirmed through a physical examination conducted by a doctor. If deemed necessary, endoscopic procedures can be performed.
In patients with chronic fissures, small protrusions that can be felt may be mistakenly perceived by the patient as hemorrhoids. However, these protrusions are not hemorrhoids but rather skin folds that form due to prolonged fissures.
The primary treatment for anal fissure involves addressing the patient's constipation issues. Recommendations often include increased fluid intake and a high-fiber diet. Patients may also benefit from warm water applications. Medical treatment plays a role in the management of anal fissures.
The majority of fissures respond well to these conservative measures and fully heal. If the fissure does not respond to treatment and becomes chronic, surgical intervention may be necessary (sphincterotomy). This surgery is a comfortable and quickly performed procedure for the patient. Typically, patients are discharged after a one-day hospital stay and can quickly resume their normal activities.
We are committed to being with you during your treatment process for general surgery diseases with accurate diagnosis and effective treatment methods. Here, you can read the real experiences of my patients who share their health journey with me. Their sincere comments can be a guide for you as well.
Prof. Dr. Sezai AydınGeneral Surgery Turkey
PROF. DR. SEZAI AYDIN
