LASER Treatment For Anal Fissure

An ‘ Anal Fissure‘ is a small cut or a tear in the skin that lines the anus. Anal fissures are caused as a result of passing large or hard stool during bowel movement. The condition is not life-threatening or serious and can easily be treated with medication or laser treatment or therapy.

SECTIONS IN THIS ARTICLE

• Advantages of Laser treatment for anal fissures
• Preparations required before treatment
• Laser treatment for anal fissures: How it is done?
• Post surgical care
• Risks

Advantages of Laser treatment over traditional surgery

	LASER TREATMENT	TRADITIONAL SURGERY
Minimally Invasive
Local Anesthesia
Same-day Discharge
Post Surgical Pain	Minimal	Moderate – High
Recovery	Quick	Slow
Blood Loss	Low Chances	High Chances

Laser Treatment: Preparations required

If a Patient has to go through Laser Sphincterotomy for anal fissures, then he/she should go through the following procedures first.

• A rectal exam, to locate the fissure (at the time of diagnosis).
• Patient should fast before the process.
• Patient should not drink water for 6 hours prior to the surgery.
• A bowel prep is undertaken. This is to clean the system of any excreta still present and involves giving a laxative or an enema.

On the day of laser treatment

Laser treatment for anal fissures is the most advanced technique and by far the safest. The overview of the surgery is as follows:

• The surgeon inserts a laser into the natural opening of the anus. Then he/she moves it to the location of the fissure.
• Following this, an incision using laser in the anal muscles is created thereby loosening the sphincter muscles.
• Additionally, the fissure scar also heals thus curing the patient.
• This type of surgery is also most effective as it reduces the chances of the fissure opening again.

Post-surgical care

To ensure safe and good recovery, a patient has to keep the following things in mind and follow them.

• The doctor prescribes stool softeners. Patient has to use it as instructed by the doctor.
• Patient has to change the diet into a high fiber diet.
• If the patient is an adult then he/she has to keep the anal area free. In case the patient is an infant then the parents or caretakers should change the diapers regularly.
• The patient can get back to normal and work activities immediately as there is no need for hospitalization.

Also Read : Anal Fissure Treatment

The surgery rarely turns into a complicated situation. And if it does, then there might be:

• An infection that may develop. With laser surgery, the chances are minimal.
• Bleeding can occur and along with that the patient might become incapable to pass urine.
• An anal fistula (a tunnel connecting an infected gland in the rectum to the external skin of the anus) can develop.

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