Anal fissure

A painful linear tear or crack (ulcer) of the anal canal that extends from the pectinate line to the anal ring, reaching all the way to the fibres of the internal anal sphincter.

An injury of the anal skin during the passage of hard faeces (especially in cases of chronic constipation) in combination with a hypertonic anal sphincter are considered to be the main pathogenetic factors of the ailment. More rarely the fissure can be a result of a bad healing process of surgical traumas or other injuries in the area.

The fissure appears with a very sharp pain just after defecation (like a tearing or burning sensation). The pain can last for 2-6 hours and sometimes it is accompanied by minor bleeding.

Pharmaceutical treatment with laxatives and topical ointments often fails, and then an easy, short, and effective surgery is required.

Use of Laser or Radiofrequency (RF) surgery performed by a specialized surgeon allows the bloodless treatment of the anal fissure. Apart from cleaning the fissure, a partial lateral internal sphincterotomy is also frequently performed, which ends chronic spasms, facilitates quick healing and helps to avoid recurrences.

The operation lasts 20-30 minutes and the patient usually returns home the same day.