Acute Anal Fissure

Acute anal fissure is a condition caused by the tearing of tissues around the anus. Op. Dr. İbrahim Çolhan, who serves patients in Adana, explained what needs to be known about the causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment methods of acute anal fissure, which can heal on its own.

What is Acute Anal Fissure?

The tearing of the thin tissue in the anal region causes acute anal fissure. Acute anal fissure largely results from excessive pressure on the anal region due to constipation or hard bowel movements. Cases of acute anal fissure that develop suddenly can be treated or may heal spontaneously if diagnosed early and intervened correctly. However, if neglected, it can turn into chronic anal fissure and lead to much more serious and uncomfortable consequences.

Acute anal fissure is an anorectal problem that can significantly harm a person's quality of life and is commonly seen in the general population. Acute anal fissure can occur in almost every age group and is found in nearly equal proportions in both women and men. Conditions such as hard stool, trauma, or diarrhea can also result in acute anal fissure.

What are the Symptoms of Acute Anal Fissure?

Acute anal fissure exhibits some unique symptoms. The symptoms of this condition usually appear during and after defecation. If we were to list the commonly observed symptoms of acute anal fissure:

• A needle-prick-like pain felt during or after defecation, which can continue for hours,
• Bleeding in the area due to damage to the anal tissue,
• Itching caused by irritation around the anus,
• The tendency to avoid defecation due to intense pain is among the symptoms of acute anal fissure.

How is Acute Anal Fissure Treated?

Acute anal fissure cases can often be treated without surgical intervention. The goal of acute anal fissure treatment is to repair the damage in the anal region and alleviate the patient's symptoms. At the same time, the formation of new fissures or cracks is also prevented. The methods used in the treatment of acute anal fissure are as follows:

Diet and Lifestyle Changes – Consuming fiber-rich foods, drinking plenty of water, and avoiding foods that can cause constipation alleviate acute anal fissure symptoms. Additionally, patients may use stool softeners.

Topical Creams – Topical creams and ointments with local anesthetic effects, as well as medications like calcium channel blockers, relax the muscles in the anal region and accelerate the healing process.

Warm Sitz Baths – Allowing the anal region to come into contact with warm water several times a day helps relax the muscles in this area, thereby supporting the healing process.

Surgical Treatment – Surgical treatments are rarely necessary in acute anal fissure cases. However, surgical treatment options may be considered for patients who are at risk of developing chronic anal fissure or who experience severe pain complaints.

What is the Difference Between Acute and Chronic Anal Fissure?

There are some differences between acute and chronic anal fissure cases. Generally, acute and chronic anal fissure cases are distinguished based on the severity of symptoms and the necessary treatment procedures.

• Acute anal fissure usually heals within a period shorter than six weeks. In chronic cases, the condition lasts longer than six weeks and may recur.
• Acute anal fissures often result from sudden trauma. Chronic anal fissures, on the other hand, occur as a result of repeated trauma and long-term damage.
• In cases of acute anal fissure, conservative methods are often preferred. In cases of chronic anal fissure, surgical operation is resorted to for treatment.
• In chronic fissures, the flexibility of the anal region decreases, and muscle spasms may occur.

Acute anal fissure can be cured with appropriate treatment applications in the early stage. However, neglecting the symptoms caused by the condition can lead to its transformation into chronic anal fissure. In such cases, more serious interventions become necessary. Therefore, if anal fissure symptoms are observed, a specialist doctor should be consulted without delay.