Anal fissure

Background

• Superficial linear tear of anal canal from at/below dentate line to anal verge
  • May be due to passage of hard stool, frequent diarrhea, or abuse
• Most common cause of painful rectal bleeding
• In >90% of cases anal fissures occur in the midline posteriorly
  • Nonhealing fissure or one not located in midline suggests alternative dx

Clinical Findings

• Acute sharp, cutting pain most severe during and immediately after bowel movement
  • Subsides between bowel movements (distinguishes fissure from other anorectal disease)
• Bright red bleeding, small in quantity (usually noticed only on toilet paper)

Diagnosis

• Having pt bear down may make fissure more noticable
• Sentinel pile, located at distal end of fissure, along w/ deep ulcer suggests chronicity
  • Often misdiagnosed as an external hemorrhoid

DDX

1. Crohn disease
   1. Often painless
2. Squamous cell carcinoma of anus
3. Adenocarcinoma of rectum invading the anal canal
4. Syphilitic fissure
5. GC/Chlam

Treatment

1. Hot sitz baths 15 min TID-QID and after each bowel movement
   1. Provides symptomatic relief and relieves anal sphincter spasm
2. High-fiber diet
   1. Prevents stricture formation by providing a bulky stool
3. Local analgesic ointments with hydrocortisone
4. Meticulous anal hygiene is imperative; after defecation anus must be cleaned thoroughly
5. Surgical referral indicated if healing does not occur in a reasonable amount of time

Complications

1. Perianal abscess
2. Intersphincteric abscess

Source

Tintinalli