Connect with

Thursday 25 April 2024

Peer Reviewed

Gastroenterology clinic

What to do for a patient with an fissure in ano

Peter J Stewart

Recent articles on:
Anal and rectal diseases

A woman with a pruritic perianal plaque

A woman with a pruritic perianal plaque

Anal disorders – haemorrhoids, abscesses and fissures

Common benign perianal problems: getting to the bottom of the problem

How to deal with a thrombosed external haemorrhoid

Recent articles on:
Digestive diseases

Dysphagia – an updated guide to investigation

Anal disorders – haemorrhoids, abscesses and fissures

Coeliac disease – optimising long-term management

Irritable bowel syndrome: an update on diagnosis and management

Is heartburn always reflux? An update on gastro-oesophageal reflux

Abstract

An anal fissure is a common anorectal problem that can occur at any age. Here, Dr Peter Stewart discusses the management of this painful condition.

Key Points

Remember

Think of a fissure in ano in a patient presenting with moderate to severe anal pain of sudden onset occurring with and immediately after defaecation, often in association with rectal bleeding.
An anal fissure is a very common anorectal condition, and may be acute or chronic.
A fissure is usually caused by the passage of a hard motion which causes a tear in the delicate, pain sensitive anal mucosa. The exposed internal sphincter fibres spasm, causing pain and local ischaemia that delay healing.