Anal Fissure Treatment

Anal fissures usually heal spontaneously within 4-6 weeks. Increasing dietary fibres, taking stool softeners and soaking in lukewarm water especially after bowel movements are all very helpful in promoting fissure healing. If your symptoms persist, however, you may need to take medication, such as topical anaesthetic creams(lidocaine) and externally-applied nitroglycerin(rectogesic). 

If your fissure and symptoms persist despite conservative treatment, your doctor may recommend surgery. The most commonly performed procedure is Lateral Sphincterotomy. This involves cutting a part of the inernal sphincter muscle around the anus to relieve spasm and pain under spinal or general anaesthesia.