Forsyth Medical Center 
Colorectal
Anal Fissure
| An anal fissure is a small tear in the skin which lines the anus. Fissures can cause pain and bleeding. |
There are two types of anal fissures--acute fissures and chronic fissures. Acute fissures typically result from changed bowel habits and a chronic fissure may be due to poor bowel habits, spastic sphincter muscles or scarring.
Treatments of Anal Fissures
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Non-operative treatments include:
- high-fiber diet
- fiber supplements
- stool softeners
- plenty of fluids
- warm baths (10-20 minutes several times a day) to relax the anal muscles
- medicated creams
Chronic fissures may include additional treatment. Any other relative medical conditions (inflammatory bowel disease, infections) are considered and further testing may be recommended.
Surgical treatment of fissures consists of cutting a portion of the internal sphincter muscle which decreases the pain and spasm allowing the fissure to heal. This procedure is typically performed on an outpatient basis.
