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Review
. 2016 Mar;29(1):30-7.
doi: 10.1055/s-0035-1570390.

Anal Fissure

Jennifer Sam Beaty  1 , M Shashidharan  1
Affiliations
Review

Anal Fissure

Jennifer Sam Beaty et al. Clin Colon Rectal Surg. 2016 Mar.

Abstract

Anal fissure (fissure-in-ano) is a very common anorectal condition. The exact etiology of this condition is debated; however, there is a clear association with elevated internal anal sphincter pressures. Though hard bowel movements are implicated in fissure etiology, they are not universally present in patients with anal fissures. Half of all patients with fissures heal with nonoperative management such as high fiber diet, sitz baths, and pharmacological agents. When nonoperative management fails, surgical treatment with lateral internal sphincterotomy has a high success rate. In this chapter, we will review the symptoms, pathophysiology, and management of anal fissures.

Keywords: anal fissure; anal pain; sphincterotomy.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Classic anal fissure (Courtesy of W. Brian Sweeney, MD).
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Open lateral sphincterotomy (Courtesy of W. Brian Sweeney, MD).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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