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reviewed by Mr Piero Nastro, MD, MRCS, FRCS(Eng). GMC Number: , Laparoscopic, General & Colorectal Surgeon for The Clinic of Harley Street, London.
Last 13th 2023

Anal Fissures

An anal is a small tear or cut in the skin lining of the anus, which can cause discomfort and pain during bowel .

They appear as fleshy, hanging skin protrusions and can often be for other related such as .

Many people assume they have a when they experience anal pain but both anal and haemorrhoids can have similar symptoms often people to themselves.

Haemorrhoids don’t always cause pain, but 90% of fissures do. However, the pain from a usually occurs in episodes, while pain can be constant.

Anal fissures can affect anyone with 1 in every 10 people affected at some point in their life. Children and younger adults below the age of 40 are more prone to developing them.

Whilst most cases of anal fissures will get better without treatment, many find themselves struggling to heal and require medical help to treat it. Surgical may be required if the anal is struggling to heal. Muscle spasms and bowel can .

The Clinic offers fast and pain-free anal fissure treatment at our discrete and private clinics in London and Birmingham.

What causes anal fissures?

Causes of anal fissures include:

such as Bowel Disease, Chron’s Disease or Colitis can put you more at risk of anal fissures.

What are the symptoms of an anal fissure?

Common of anal fissures include:

How do I know if I have an anal fissure?

The best way to an anal fissue is to visit a healthcare such as one of our Colorectal . They will your symptoms and history whilst also a examination of the area. In doing this, they will be able to accurately let you know the cause of your anal pain or and what treatment would be recommended to help.

Anal fissures have a variety of classifications that will which type of treatment may be best suited.

Do I need anal fissure treatment?

Most anal fissures will heal on their own, a few changes such as eating more fibre, active and staying are good choices to make to not only heal anal fissures but to stop recurrence too.

Non-Surgical Anal Fissure Treatments

If your anal is struggling to heal, then may be . There are non-surgical such as Glyceryl ointment and calcium blockers. Either of these should be to the area to promote .

Surgical Anal Fissure Treatments

If the topical treatments have not been successful, then anal fissure surgery may be recommended. We patients with a selection of private anal fissure treatments. Our expert colorectal surgeons will be able to advise on which is going to be most effective for you.

Benefits of Private Self-Pay Anal Fissure Treatment

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What to Expect

A consultation will take place with one of our surgeons who are in diagnosing and treating anal fissures where medical assistance is required.

During your consultation, the surgeon will:

Following your with your colorectal surgeon, you will be a dedicated patient coordinator. They will be able to provide you with your detailed treatment plan along with the full cost and pricing details. You will leave our clinic feeling able to make a decision.

If you have been to try a procedure then you will be required to have a pre-op ahead of your treatment.

All our are assessed against our patient selection . Following your anal fissure consultation and review of your history, the or nurse will choose the pre-operative tests considered to be appropriate, most of which are blood tests.

You will be provided with a pre-operative instruction sheet ahead of your procedure which will help you to prepare for your anal fissure .

There are a variety of anal procedures available. Your surgeon will be able to advise on which one they feel is going to be most effective for you.

Botulinum toxin injections are commonly used to reduce fine lines and wrinkles from the face but it is used a lot in to help reduce pain and by relaxing muscles.

The treatment is as a day-case procedure in under general . The anal muscle is with toxin. This the muscle from spasming which will as a result reduce pain and allow the anal to heal.

Patients will be able to return home the same day once recovered from the general .

The effects of this treatment will last for 2-3 months which allows enough time for anal to fully heal.

A fissurectomy away the damaged skin the anal fissure. This procedure is usually with botulinum toxin injections or advancement flap .

A or Sphincterectomy also known as LIS is a surgical procedure to treat an anal . The will be performed as a procedure in theatre under general anaesthetic.

Once the general anaesthetic has taken affect, the will make a small at the edge of the anus to release part of the muscle that around the anus.

The procedure takes around 10 minutes to perform, and no are required but a small pack of gauze is often placed over the cut which either fall out spontaneously or be passed during the first bowel following the procedure.

Advancement anal flap surgery, also known as flap repair is an procedure used to help heal an anal fissure. This is particularly advantageous for who have weakened pelvic floor or anal who are not suitable for a lateral .

Advancement anal flap surgery is performed as a day case in theatre under general anaesthesia. A flap of skin tissue is taken usually either from around the outside of the anal canal, or the lining of the bowel near to the anal canal. The flap of tissue is then attached to internal opening of the anal and with absorbable .

The takes around 45 minutes to perform, a small pack of gauze is often placed over area which will either fall out itself or be passed during the first bowel .

The and recovery following Lateral Sphincterotomy and Advancement Anal Flap are similar.

Patients following anal fissure will have a period of recovery time at the hospital usually 1-2 hours. Once your surgeon is happy with your recovery, you will be able to return home. All will require a to escort them home. We advise that patients do not drink alcohol, drive, use machinery or make any important for at least 24 hours following general .

Medication

You will be provided with and to take which will help to keep you comfortable during your recovery period. It is important to keep bowel movements regularly and soft during your recovery period and to avoid constipation. A diet of high fibre foods and regularly water will be recommended.

Bowel Movements

The first bowel movements following surgery may be uncomfortable and you may notice small of . This is normal and to be expected, but if you are about anything do not to us.

to work & daily activities

Most patients can return to work after 2-3 days depending on the requirements of their job role. Heavy and exercise should ideally be for 2-4 weeks.

who have had Advancement Anal Flap Surgery are advised to allow 2 weeks before to work.

Driving

You will be free to resume driving once you are free from the sedative of any and that you may be taking. Before to drive, you should be able to sit in a driving position and feel confident that you are able to safely your car including being able to make an emergency stop if required. We recommend that you let your company aware of your recent as you may find that your car insurance is for a certain number of weeks following .

Bathing

We recommend taking baths, especially after bowel movements to help keep the area clean.

Results

The results from anal treatment will vary depending on the type of treatment and healing times. You will start to notice your previous as your starts to heal. Pain should become less, and any should stop.

Overall, it can take 6-8 weeks for anal fissures to fully heal.

Botulinum toxin injections can take 1-2 weeks for the to take place. The best results are seen after 6 weeks.

A is one of the most effective for anal with a success rate of 96%–100% . Most patients will fully heal within 2 to 4 weeks.

Follow Up

A 6 week follow-up appointment will be made for you with your consultant surgeon to the results from your .

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Frequently Asked Questions

How can I prevent anal skin tags? / How to avoid anal skin tags?

Once you have had your anal skin tag removed, your surgeon will methods to help skin tags in the future. The best way to prevent further skin tags is to the potential cause of your existing one. Often changes are enough to future anal skin tags.

Helpful tips include:

Your may also recommend that you have any problems to ensure that there is no underlying condition that may be increasing your risk of developing anal skin tags.

Anal skin tags will not go away on their own. If you want to remove them, you will need to have an anal skin tag removal treatment.

If you are worried about anal skin tags, we recommend visiting us for a consultation. Our consultant colorectal surgeons will be able to determine if the skin tag is or something to be about.

Most people elect to have them surgically removed in a quick procedure under local anaesthetic to help comfort and any feeling of . 

Anal skin tag removal treatment is not routinely or funded on the NHS. This is because it is deemed to be a cosmetic procedure and not necessary.

At The Clinic, we understand that anal skin tags can still cause and concern for many people which is why we offer private self-pay treatment for anal skin tag removal.

are available for fast and pain-free anal skin tag removal at our and discreet clinics in London and .

No, anal skin tags are a different condition from . The most difference between the two is that usually cause more pain and .

are swollen veins whereas anal skin tags are small sections of excess skin.

both and cause swelling in the area. As the reduces, excess skin that was previously stretched may not shrink back which can then cause skin tags to . This is why the two are often interlinked with many patients developing anal skin tags following haemorrhoid removal .

If you are unsure if you have or anal skin tags, visit us for a consultation where our expert colorectal surgeons will be able to accurately diagnose your anal and advise on the best treatment to suit you.

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The Clinic is a multi award winning medical group with clinics located across the UK. We have over 40 years’ experience in offering the best in minimally non surgical treatments and expert led surgical procedures in our clinics and . Our surgeons are all with and we are by the . The CQC is an independent regulator for health and social care in England. Last review March 10th 2023.

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