Can I do a colonoscopy if I have anal fissure?

Although the anus is an inconspicuous organ in our daily life, it is responsible for the normal defecation function of the human body. If there is a problem with the anus, it will affect a person's normal defecation behavior. Anal fissure is a problem that many people will have in their anus. It mainly refers to the crack in the human anus. People with anal fissure will experience a lot of pain when defecating. If anal fissure occurs, can a colonoscopy be performed?

The 3 stages of anal fissure

Stage I anal fissure: also known as primary anal fissure, that is, fresh anal fissure or early anal fissure. The anal canal skin was superficially damaged, and the tissues around the wound were basically normal.

Stage II anal fissure: also called simple anal fissure. An ulcerative fissure has formed in the anal canal, but there are no complications, such as hypertrophy of anal papillae, sentinel hemorrhoids, and subcutaneous fistulas.

Stage III anal fissure: refers to old anal fissure, the fissure appears as old ulcer, combined with hypertrophy of anal papilla and sentinel piles, or accompanied by subcutaneous fistula and anal crypt inflammation.

So, how does colonoscopy help with anal fissures?

The role of colonoscopy in anal fissure

Anal fissures are small ulcers that form when the skin layer of the anal canal below the dentate line is torn. The direction is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the anal canal, 0.5 to 1.0 cm long, fusiform or oval, and often causes severe pain around the anus. It is more common in young and middle-aged people. Most anal fissures are located on the posterior midline of the anal canal, but can also be located on the anterior midline. Anal fissures rarely appear on the sides. If anal fissure appears on the side, the possibility of intestinal inflammatory disease or tumor should be considered.

It is not difficult to make a diagnosis based on the typical clinical history and the "triad" of anal fissure found during anal examination. Care should be taken to differentiate anal ulcers from those caused by other diseases, such as Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, tuberculosis, perianal tumors, syphilis, chancroid, etc. A biopsy can be taken for pathological examination to confirm the diagnosis. Anal examination of anal fissures often causes severe pain and sometimes needs to be performed under local anesthesia.

You should follow your doctor's advice on whether colonoscopy is necessary for anal fissure.