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Anal Fissure
An anal fissure is an ulcer or split in the lining of the anus, just inside the opening, and which fails to heal quickly.
Common causes of anal fissure:
Anal fissure usually begins as a small tear in the lining of the anus, often from a hard bowel movement, but sometimes from splitting of the skin over a haemorrhoid.
The tear becomes colonised with bowel bacteria that prevent it from healing. Spasm in the anal sphincter due to inflammation further interferes with healing.
Common symptoms of anal fissure include:
Anal Pain: Typically an anal fissure causes sharp pain during a bowel movement, often continuing as a dull ache for an hour or so afterwards.
Itching: Inflammation and mucus seeping from the fissure may cause itching and irritation of the anal skin
Difficult bowel movements: Inflammation from the fissure may cause the anal sphincter muscle to go into spasm, increasing pain and making it difficult to have a bowel movement.
Bleeding: An anal fissure will often bleed during a bowel movement
Anal Fissure Treatment
Sometimes fissures will heal without any treatment but here is no need to put up with anal pain. Your colorectal surgeon will make a thorough assessment and will explain the treatment options that may be right for you.
Careful Anal Hygiene
Washing with warm water after a bowel movement, and cleaning the fissure with a moist cotton bud can be very helpful.
Ointments or Botox
When the fissure is causing severe anal sphincter spasm, relaxing the anal sphincter with special ointments or Botox can help.
Surgery
If the fissure doesn’t heal despite these measures an operation to excise the fissure, or sometimes to divide some of the sphincter muscle, may be suggested.
Find A Specialist
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Dr Richard Perry
General & Colorectal Surgeon
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Dr Ian Bradford
General & Colorectal Surgeon
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A/Prof Craig Lynch
General & Colorectal Surgeon
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Dr James Haddow
General & Colorectal Surgeon
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Dr Deborah Wright
General & Colorectal Surgeon
