Health Dictionary
Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.
Anal fissure classification
Introduction
Overview
Overview
Anal fissures can be divided into primary and secondary anal fissures, based on etiology; posterior and anterior anal fissures based on location; and acute and chronic anal fissures based on the duration of symptoms.
Classification
Classification
Anal fissures are divided into different categories according to different classification systems:[1][2][3][4]
- Anal fissure may be classified according to causative factors into 2 subtypes:
- Primary anal fissure- caused due to local trauma such as hard stools, prolonged diarrhea, vaginal delivery, repetitive injury or penetration. These are usually posterior and anterior in location.
- Secondary anal fissure- caused due to previous surgical procedures in the anal area, inflammatory bowel disease, tuberculosis, sarcoidosis, HIV/AIDS, syphilis. They are usually multiple and lateral in position.
- Anal fissure may be classified into several subtypes based on location:
- Posterior anal fissures- it is found in 90% cases.
- Anterior anal fissures- seen in 10% of cases.
- Based on the duration of symptoms, an anal fissure may be classified as either acute (4-8 weeks), or chronic.
References
References
- ↑ Schlichtemeier S, Engel A (2016). “Anal fissure”. Aust Prescr. 39 (1): 14–7. doi:10.18773/austprescr.2016.007. PMC 4816871. PMID 27041801.
- ↑ Wehrli H (1996). “[Etiology, pathogenesis and classification of anal fissure]”. Swiss Surg (in German) (1): 14–7. PMID 8871258.
- ↑ Lund JN, Scholefield JH (1996). “Aetiology and treatment of anal fissure”. Br J Surg. 83 (10): 1335–44. PMID 8944447.
- ↑ Herzig DO, Lu KC (2010). “Anal fissure”. Surg. Clin. North Am. 90 (1): 33–44, Table of Contents. doi:10.1016/j.suc.2009.09.002. PMID 20109631.
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Amandeep Singh M.D.[2]