If you’ve been suffering from a fissure for some time, have considered surgery as a treatment option. Surgery, however is not the only option you have. A fissure can lead to much more serious complications if left untreated. Before you opt for surgery, it is important to know the different types of surgical procedures available, and which one is best for your condition. In the past, doctors used to treat fissures with tissue removal or hemrodesis to decrease pain. Today, however, there are other surgical methods that offer effective and long-lasting results.
At the end of the day, fissure is a condition that affects millions of people. And even though it’s painful and embarrassing, people continue to struggle with this issue. Is there something that can be done about it? Yes. That something can be resolved via surgery.
A sphincterotomy is considered a simple surgery in which the sphincter is either stretched or cuts. A sphincter is a group of muscles surrounding the anus. It is circular and responsible for the control of bowel movements.
This type of surgical procedure is a treatment for people who are suffering from anal fissures. An anal fissure is a condition where there are breaks or tears in the skin on the anal area. A sphincterotomy is utilized as a last resort to ease this condition.
People who have anal fissures are encouraged to switch to a high-fiber diet, softeners for stools, as well as Botox. But if symptoms are not responsive to these treatments and are too severe, a sphincterotomy may be recommended. This anal fissure surgery cost can go up to $5,000.
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Other surgical procedures
Several other surgical procedures are often performed with a sphincterotomy. Others are hemorrhoidectomy, as well as fistulotomy. You should consult with your physician to see precisely which procedures should be performed and why. Expect to shell out $3,000 to $5,000 for these are the anal fissure surgery costs.
What are the symptoms of an anal fissure?
Anal fissures typically have the following symptoms:
- Observable tear in the skin around the anus.
- Skin tags or small lumps of skin next to the tears.
- Pain in the anal area during bowel movement.
- Stains of blood in stools on the toilet.
- Burning and itching sensation in the anal area.
How are anal fissures diagnosed?
Typically, a doctor can diagnose an anal fissure by examining the area near the anus. However, they may want to perform rectal examinations to confirm any diagnosis.
During this examination, the doctor will be inserting an anoscope into the rectum to make it effortless for them to see the tears. This medical instrument allows doctors to study the anal canal.
Utilizing an anoscope may also help your doctor find other causes of anal or rectal issues such as hemorrhoids. In rectal pain cases, a doctor may utilize an endoscopy for the optimum valuation of your symptoms.
Sphincterotomy procedure
During the sphincterotomy procedure, the surgeon will be making a small incision in the internal anal sphincter. The goal of this incision is to release tension in the sphincter. Once the pressure is too high, it is difficult for anal fissures to heal.
Sphincterotomy can be performed under local or general anesthesia, and you will typically be allowed to go home on the same day after the surgery takes place.
Recovery time
It will typically take the anal area about six weeks to heal fully. Still, a majority of people are able to resume their normal activities, including going to work within one to a couple of weeks after the surgery.
A majority of people find that the pain they experience from their anal fissures before surgery has disappeared within several days of having their sphincterotomy procedure.
Many people are worried about having their bowels move after the surgery. Although it is normal to experience a degree of pain during bowel movements which are typically less than it was prior to surgery. It is also expected to notice some bloodstains on the toilet paper after a bowel movement for the first several weeks.
The following are numerous things you can do to help with your recovery:
- Get plenty of rest
- Walk a little each day
- Follow your doctor’s instructions when it comes to driving again
- Shower and normally and pat your anal area dry after
- Drink lots of fluids
- Switch to a high-fiber diet
- If you are suffering from constipation, ask your doctor about mild laxatives or stool softeners
- Take your pain medication as instructed
Sit around 10 cm of water three times a day and after bowel movements until the pain subsides in the anal area.
When you attempt to move your bowels, utilizes a small step to support your feet. It will help flex your hips and place your pelvis in a squat position, which can help pass the stool more effortlessly.
Utilizing baby wipes instead of toilet paper provides more comfort and don’t cause irritation to the anal area.
Steer clear of utilizing soaps with fragrances.
Side effects and potential risks of sphincterotomy surgery
Sphincterotomy is considered a simple procedure and effective in the treatment of anal fissures. It is not typical for it to have any side effects, but they do occur in extremely rare instances.
It is normal for people to experience a mild degree of fecal incontinence and difficulty controlling flatulence weeks after the surgical procedure. The side effect usually subsides on its own as the anal area heals.
Conclusion
Sphincterotomy has proven to be extremely successful in the treatment of anal fissures. Your physician will be encouraging you to try other treatment measures prior to surgery. But if you are not responsive to these, a sphincterotomy is recommended. You should recover fairly swiftly from a sphincterotomy, and there are many comfort measures you can utilize while you are recovering. Side effects are typically rare and can be treated if they do occur.
