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 near the end of the digestive tract. 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 treatments are 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.
- 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 one of India’s most distinguished and experienced female surgeons, known for her unmatched expertise in general and laparoscopic surgery. With over 29 years of surgical excellence, Dr Amita Jain has built a reputation for precision, compassionate care, and advanced surgical techniques.
Dr Amita Jain has successfully performed a wide range of complex general surgeries, including both open and minimally invasive procedures, with a strong focus on trauma care, onco-surgical techniques, and reconstructive surgeries. Her areas of specialisation include (including Gallbladder stone removal, appendix removal, hernia repair surgery, piles and fissure surgeries). She was the Professor of Surgery at the Army College of Medical Sciences and Base Hospital, Delhi Cantt. In 1994, she was commissioned asa Surgeon under the United Nations Mission in Congo. From 2020 to 2022, she worked with Bansals Hospital. Currently, Dr Amita Jain is the Senior General and Laparoscopic Surgeon at Rainbow Children Hospitals (Malviya Nagar, Delhi), Artemis Lite: Multi-Speciality Care Hospital (New Friends Colony, New Delhi) and at Rosewalk – Luxury Maternity Hospital in Delhi (Panchsheel Park, Delhi)
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