Anal fissure refers to the tear of skin near the anus making it painful and difficult for bowel movements. These tears are very common and most of them get healed by themselves. Some can be large and require meditations. Fissures can be formed by hard stools leading to cracks in the anal area leading to poor blood circulation, pain, bleeding and tensed anal muscles. This can lead to painful bowel movements, bleeding and if leaven untreated can lead to developing ulcers. Most of the anal fissures are not noticed when they are small and painless. While in some anal fissure continue and expand causing discomfort.Anal fissures are relieved by meditation and by following fiber-rich diet. In more complicated and painful fissures surgeries are available to help ease the pain from fissures.
Sphincterotomy
This is the widely used surgical procedure to treat anal fissures. Sphincterotomy also knew as lateral internal Sphincterotomy is used to relax the anal sphincter muscles and thus heals the fissure. This outcome is developed by making a cut in the internal sphincter muscles from the outermost part of the anus and then lengthening into the internal canal. After the surgery, the patients feel instant relief from the pain caused by fissures while complete healing may take a few weeks.
Fissurectomy
A Fissurectomy is one more surgery that can be used to eliminate anal fissures. This practice produces the same outcome as a sphincterotomy, with the exception of surgically removing the edges of the fissures and also the worn out skin surrounding the fissure. Following a special tool is used to cover up the wounds from the area
Even though both the surgery has similar procedures the only difference that underlies is the removal of skin tags from the fissures. In lateral sphincterectomy the surgeon removed only the fissures while in fissurectomy the skin underlying the fissures are also removed. Recently Surgeon combines both the process to eliminate the anal fissures completely. Combining both the process eliminates the chances for reoccurrence of anal fissures.
Patients undertook the surgery will take around 3-4 weeks for complete recovery and healing of the wounds. Patients are advised to complete the course of meditations provided including stool softeners, with taking extra care to not perform any exhausting activities and to clean the wounded area properly and carefully with soft clothes. Patients are also reminded to get in contact with the doctor if any possible symptoms of the presence of blood, bleeding, pain, infection or inability to pass stools occur.
The latest progression in this procedure to treat anal fissures is known as the Advancement Flaps. In this procedure, the anal fissures are removed and replaced by healthy tissues to prevent any reoccurrence of the medical condition. Nevertheless, it must also be considered while planning for a treatment for anal fissures that, Anal Sphincterotomy is the widely and successfully used surgical technique to treat any mild or complicated anal fissure with minimal complications after the surgery and least chances of reoccurrence of the symptoms.