Anal fissure treatment in Dubai

ANAL FISSURE FACTS

  • An Anal Fissure is a small tear or crack in the lining of the anus.
  • Can cause sharp pain and bleeding during bowel movements.
  • Common symptoms include pain during and after defecation, bleeding, and itching.
  • Anal fissures can be acute or chronic, with chronic fissures lasting more than six weeks.
  • Chronic cases may require surgical intervention to promote healing.

Dr. Daniel Serralta, our thoroughly skilled coloproctologist and general surgeon, combines his expertise and knowledge to provide the best possible Anal Fissure treatment in Dubai.

What is an Anal Fissure?

Anal fissure treatment in Dubai

An anal fissure is a split in the skin at the opening of the anus that exposes some of the anal canal’s muscle fibers. Pain is caused by the split being opened repeatedly and frequently accompanied by bleeding. Furthermore, the inner circle of muscle in the anal canal (called the internal sphincter) spasms, exacerbating the pain and potentially preventing healing. Most fissures heal conservatively, but a significant proportion become chronic, lowering a patient’s overall quality of life and necessitating surgical intervention.

Anal fissures can affect people of all ages. They are frequently seen in patients suffering from chronic constipation or diarrhea. Anal Fissures are also common in postpartum women.

Causes
of Anal Fissure

The following are some of the possible causes of an Anal Fissure:

Anal fissure formation is associated with an imbalance between rectal and anal pressures.

Factors contributing to fissure development include the passage of hard stool, straining during defecation, and the inability of the anal sphincter to relax fully.

Pressure during defecation mainly affects the posterior side of the anal canal.

Studies suggest decreased blood supply to the anal mucosa posteriorly, contributing to the fissure.

Differential diagnosis includes conditions like Crohn’s disease, tuberculosis, syphilis, anal cancer, and herpes.

Did you know?

  • Approximately 90% of anal fissures are posterior, and only 10% are anterior, with the latter being more common in females.
  • Most fissures occur in the midline, with only 1% categorized as ‘atypical.’

Symptoms of Anal Fissure

For fissure treatment in Dubai, our coloproctology expert will want to know about your symptoms first.

Some of the most common Anal Fissure symptoms are as follows:

Anal Fissure Treatment Options

Non-Surgical Options

Our anal fissure expert may begin with some non-surgical options for Anal Fissure treatment in Dubai if the condition can be managed through non-invasive methods.

Some of the methods are as follows:

  • Sitz Baths: Warm Sitz baths are recommended in the treatment of anal fissures to reduce pain and anal spasm. Studies have shown that immersion therapy at a temperature of 40°C for 5 minutes can significantly reduce anal pressures.
  • Topical Medications: Topical medications are often a primary treatment option for anal fissures, especially for acute or less severe cases. These provide pain relief by numbing the area and reducing discomfort during bowel movements.
  • Botulinum Toxin Injection: Botulinum toxin injection is a medical treatment used to relax the anal sphincter muscles and is sometimes considered an option for individuals with chronic anal fissures that haven’t responded to other conservative treatments. However, its effect is temporary (a few months).
Anal fissure treatment
  • Antibiotics: If an active infection or abscess is associated with the fissures, antibiotics may be prescribed. They aid in infection control and inflammation reduction, which can promote healing. Antibiotics alone, however, are rarely curative for an anal fissure and are frequently combined with other treatments.
  • Treating underlying conditions: If the anal fissure is associated with an underlying condition, such as Crohn’s disease or tuberculosis, an appropriate medicinal course for the underlying condition may be initiated.

Surgical Options for Anal Fissure

Although most of the fissures heal on their own, some of the patients with this condition require anal fissure surgery in Dubai.

Here are some of the surgery techniques for Fissure treatment in Dubai:

Lateral Internal Sphincterotomy: A lateral internal sphincterotomy involves making a small incision in the internal anal sphincter muscle, which is the muscle responsible for involuntary control of the anus. By partially cutting this muscle, the procedure aims to reduce spasms and pressure in the anal canal, allowing the anal fissure to heal. This procedure is typically carried out under anesthesia. It is reserved for chronic anal fissures, which are fissures that persist for an extended period, usually beyond 6-8 weeks, and do not respond to other treatments like topical medications or dietary modifications.
Our specialized colorectal surgeon, Dr. Daniel, performs this procedure to limit the amount of muscle divided and ensure that the muscle is divided.

Advancement Flaps: The advancement flap surgery aims to repair the anal fissure by creating a new blood supply to the affected area and promoting healing. It is typically considered when other non-surgical treatments have failed. During the surgery, our surgeon makes an incision in the healthy tissue near the anal fissure. This incision is used to create a flap of tissue that is then advanced and sutured over the fissure, effectively covering and protecting it.

Fissurectomy: Fissurectomy is performed to treat acute anal fissures that have not responded to non-surgical treatments. The procedure aims to remove the fissure and promote healing. During a fissurectomy, the surgeon removes the damaged tissue that makes up the fissure. It basically involves excision of the anal fissure margins, curettage of the base with removal of granulation tissue, and excision of any hypertrophied papilla or scar tissue.

Fissure treatment in dubai

This is typically done in an outpatient surgical setting. In some cases, anoplasty, which involves reconstructing the anal opening, may be performed in conjunction with the fissurectomy to prevent recurrent fissures.

Consult the specialist - Dr. Daniel Serralta,
for Anal Fissure treatment in Dubai

If you are someone suffering from an anal fissure, seeking treatment from a general surgeon and proctologist in Dubai like Dr. Daniel Serralta is the best option for quick relief and long-term healing. With his expertise and experience in this field, he can provide personalized care and effective solutions to help you overcome this uncomfortable condition.

Don’t let an anal fissure hinder your daily life any longer; consult with Dr. Daniel Serralta today and take the first step towards better health and wellness.

Anal Fissure FAQs

Anal fissures are tiny tears or cracks in the anus lining that can hurt and bleed during and after bowel movements. 

The most common cause is trauma to the anal canal during bowel movements, often from passing hard or large stools. Other causes can include diarrhea, anal intercourse, and diseases that affect the anal area. 

Anal fissures can be very painful, but they are usually not serious and often heal within a few weeks with proper care. However, chronic fissures may require medical treatment in order to be healed. 

Symptoms include pain during and after bowel movements, bleeding (you might notice small amounts of blood on toilet paper or in the toilet), or sometimes an itchy or burning sensation around the anus. 

Our doctor will often diagnose an anal fissure as per your symptoms and a physical examination of the anal area. In some cases, further examination may be needed. 

Treatment options may include home remedies, such as increasing fiber intake, taking sitz baths, and using over-the-counter pain relievers. Medical treatments can include topical creams to relax the muscle around the anus. In severe cases, surgery might be recommended. 

If not properly treated, anal fissures can lead to a chronic condition, which may cause persistent pain and bleeding. Rarely, a fissure can lead to an abscess or a fistula. 

Preventive measures include maintaining a high-fiber diet, staying hydrated, exercising on a regular basis, avoiding putting too much pressure during bowel movements, and going to the bathroom when needed rather than holding it in. 

You should see a healthcare provider if you experience symptoms of an anal fissure that don’t improve with home care, if the pain is severe, if there’s significant bleeding, or if you have recurrent fissures. 

Yes, many anal fissures heal on their own within a few weeks with proper self-care, including keeping the area clean, applying topical treatments, and ensuring soft bowel movements. 

Although both can cause pain and bleeding during bowel movements, an anal fissure is a tear in the lining of the anus; whereas hemorrhoids are swollen or inflamed veins in the anus. 

No, surgery is not always necessary. Most anal fissures can be treated successfully with non-surgical methods. Surgery is typically considered only for chronic fissures that have not healed with other treatments.  

These FAQs aim to provide a comprehensive overview of anal fissures, their causes, symptoms, treatment options, and prevention strategies. If you suspect you have an anal fissure, consult our gastrointestinal specialist for a proper diagnosis and treatment plan. 

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