Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2011 Mar;24(1):22-30.
doi: 10.1055/s-0031-1272820.

Anal fissure

Karen N Zaghiyan, Phillip Fleshner

Anal fissure

Karen N Zaghiyan et al. Clin Colon Rectal Surg. 2011 Mar.

Abstract

Anal fissure is one of the most common anorectal problems. Anal fissure is largely associated with high anal sphincter pressures and most treatment options are based on reducing anal pressures. Conservative management, using increased fiber and warm baths, results in healing of approximately half of all anal fissures. In fissures that fail conservative care, various pharmacologic and surgical options offer satisfactory cure rates. Lateral internal sphincterotomy remains the gold standard for definitive management of anal fissure. This review outlines the key points in the presentation, pathophysiology, and management of anal fissure.

Keywords: Anal fissure; anal sphincter hypertonia; fissure in ano; sphincterotomy.

PubMed Disclaimer

References

    1. Nothmann B J, Schuster M M. Internal anal sphincter derangement with anal fissures. Gastroenterology. 1974;67(2):216–220. - PubMed
    1. Hancock B D. The internal sphincter and anal fissure. Br J Surg. 1977;64(2):92–95. - PubMed
    1. Gibbons C P, Read N W. Anal hypertonia in fissures: cause or effect? Br J Surg. 1986;73(6):443–445. - PubMed
    1. Farouk R, Duthie G S, MacGregor A B, Bartolo D C. Sustained internal sphincter hypertonia in patients with chronic anal fissure. Dis Colon Rectum. 1994;37(5):424–429. - PubMed
    1. Schouten W R, Briel J W, Auwerda J J. Relationship between anal pressure and anodermal blood flow. The vascular pathogenesis of anal fissures. Dis Colon Rectum. 1994;37(7):664–669. - PubMed