
Is anal fissure surgery painful?
Disease description:
People with anal fissures often experience bleeding after bowel movements and pain during defecation. I've heard that surgery is an option for treating anal fissures—does anal fissure surgery hurt?

Patients typically do not experience much pain during anal fissure surgery, as the procedure is performed under anesthesia. However, pain may occur during the postoperative recovery period, and the degree of discomfort varies depending on the surgical method used. For example, fissurectomy creates a fresh wound in the anal area, which may cause pain during warm sitz baths or local dressing changes. In contrast, lateral internal sphincterotomy involves less tissue damage and generally results in milder postoperative pain. Post-surgical pain can be managed through various methods, including herbal sitz baths, oral analgesics, topical pain-relieving ointments, and biofeedback therapy. While some degree of pain is expected during the recovery phase after anal fissure surgery, the intensity largely depends on the type of surgery and individual patient factors. Patients are advised to follow their doctor's instructions and actively employ pain management strategies to promote wound healing and recovery.