Difference Between Anal Fissure and Anal Fistula

To prevent it from happening, when dealing with rectal conditions like anal fissure and anal fistula, knowing the difference is important in order to get proper treatment. While both conditions can be incredibly painful and uncomfortable, they have different causes, symptoms, and treatments.

What is an Anal Fissure?

An anal fissure is a small tear in the lining of the anus. This tear then leads to pain and bleeding when going for a bowel movement. Anal fissures happen when someone has some kind of trauma to the anal canal, and this can happen with passage of hard or large stools as in people with constipation but also runs (diarrhea) as well be one cause for an anal fissure. Long-standing anal fissures can also be accompanied by other underlying conditions such as Crohn's disease.

Symptoms of Anal Fissure

Severe rectal pain with bowel movements

Itchy or burning feeling of any part around the anus

Tear or crack in skin around the anus

Blood on the stool or toilet paper

Treatment for Anal Fissure

In the majority of cases, anal fissures heal without any specific treatment. Treatments may include:

Including more fiber and fluid in diet to soften the stool

Taking stool softeners or laxatives

Taking warm sitz baths

Using of Lidocaine (for a local anesthetic) or Nitroglycerin ointment

Surgery may be necessary in severe cases.

One such treatment provided by the best anal fissure surgeon in Delhi.

What is an Anal Fistula?

Anal Abcess and Fistula:- An anal fistula is an abnormal tract or small tunnel that develops between the skin near the anus to a opening containing fecal material inside. It is generally the outcome of anal gland infection that causes an abscess and eventually leads to fistula formation. Unlike anal fissures, which usually heal without intervention, almost all anal fistulas require surgical treatment.

Symptoms of Anal Fistula

Ache with puffiness the actual colorectal or rectum

Recurrent abscesses

Discharge of pus or blood coming through an opening near the anus

Fever and general discomfort

Treatment for Anal Fistula

Anal fistulas often require surgery. Options include:

Fistulotomy: The procedure where the fistula is sliced open to drain and allow complete healing.

Seton placement: A piece of surgical thread is inserted in the fistula to prevent closure.

Advancement flap surgery — Repair using a piece of healthy tissue to cover the internal opening to regrow the anal epithelium.

Fibrin glue or plug: Less intrusive options that are used to seal the passageway.

This is where meeting the best anal fistula surgeon in Delhi can highly assist patients requiring expert surgical care to recover.

Differences — Anal Fissure vs. Anal Fistula

Cause

Anal Fissure: Usually a result of injury to the anal canal passageway through hard stool or constipation or diarrhea.

Anal Fistula: Typically develops after an infection causes an abscess and than a fistula form.

Symptoms

An Anal Fissure : Sharp pain while doing is stool cuts visible on examination minimal bleeding.

Anal Fistula: The associated symptoms with an anal fistula are pain in the anal drainage site, swelling around the anus, and recurrent abscesses formed due to pus or blood.

Treatment

Treatment for Anal Fissure: Usually gets better with self-care and diet adjustments as well as topical treatment; sometimes surgery in long-lasting cases.

Anal Fistula: Does not heal by itself and needs surgery.

Explaining these contrasts are extremely important in terms of finding the right type of medical care. If you have symptoms of either disease, seek expert guidance. In Delhi, best anal fissure surgeon in delhi can bring world-class treatment within reach and thereby make it easier to get rid of this condition.