Symptoms and Treatment as Shared by Delhi’s Top Surgeon for Treating Fissures
A fissure is a small tear in the thin, moist tissue (mucosa) that lines the anus. Fissures might occur when you pass hard or large stools during a bowel movement. Fissures usually cause pain and bleeding with bowel movements. You also might experience spasms in the ring of muscle at the end of the alimentary canal. Fissures are quite common in young infants but can affect people of any age says, Dr Amita Jain.
This article by Dr Amita Jain, Delhi’s top surgeon for fissures explains how to watch for the symptoms and what are treatments available.
Signs and symptoms of Fissure could include:
- Pain, at times severe, during bowel movements
- Pain after bowel movements that may last up to several hours
- Bright red blood on the stool or toilet paper post your bowel movement
- A visible crack in the skin nearer to the anus
- A small lump or skin tag on the skin nearby the fissure
When to consult a doctor?
Consult your doctor if you feel pain during bowel movements or see blood on stools or toilet paper after a bowel movement. Also, there are multiple factors that could cause fissures. They may vary from patient to patients like constipation, childbirth, Crohn’s disease and age.
Prevention of Fissure
You might be able to prevent a fissure by taking steps to prevent constipation or diarrhoea. Eat high-fibre-based foods, drink fluids and exercise daily to keep from having to strain during your bowel movements.
What is the diagnosis?
Dr Amita Jain says you might need to bring your medical history and will need a physical exam, including a gentle inspection of the affected region. Mostly the tear is visible. Generally, this exam is all that’s required to diagnose a fissure. You may also need further testing that includes:
- Anoscopy
- Flexible sigmoidoscopy
- Colonoscopy
Treatment of Fissure
It mostly heals within a few weeks if you take measures to keep your stool soft, like increasing the consumption of fluids and fibre-based food. Soaking in warm water for about 10-20 minutes multiple times a day. However, if problems still persist you may need a certain non-surgical method. You might be recommended:
- Externally applied nitroglycerin (Rectiv), to assist increase blood flow to the fissure and promote healing and assist relax the sphincter. Nitroglycerin is usually considered the medical treatment of choice when other conservative steps fail. Side effects might include headaches, which might be severe.
- Topical anaesthetic creams like lidocaine hydrochloride (Xylocaine) might be helpful for pain relief.
- Botulinum toxin type A (Botox) injection, to paralyze the sphincter muscle and soothe spasms.
- Blood pressure medications could help relax the sphincter. These medications might be taken by mouth or applied externally and might be used when nitroglycerin is not impactful or causes significant side effects.
Dr Amita Jain is a surgeon with highest degree of professional competence, precision and surgical craftsmanship. Performed all complicated general surgery procedures with in depth knowledge of invasive and few minimal invasive and onco surgical techniques. Underwent special training in trauma, executed various trauma-related complex life-saving neurosurgical procedures, reconstructed injured mangled limbs and performed vascular and reconstructive procedures with critical care.
Dr Amita Jain holds 28 plus years of rich experience in Trauma and General Laparoscopic Surgeries (including Gallbladder stone removal, appendix removal, hernia repair surgery, piles and fissure surgeries). She was the Professor Surgery of at the Army College of Medical Sciences and Base Hospital Delhi Cantt. In 1994 she was commissioned as Surgeon under the United Nations Mission in Congo. From 2020 to 2022, she worked with Bansals Hospital. Currently, Dr Amita Jain is the Senior Consultant, (Speciality: General and Laparoscopic Surgeon) at Artemis Lite Hospital, New Delhi