Medical therapy is an established first-line approach for the treatment of patients with chronic anal fissure; however, the efficacy of individual agents versus placebo remains to be proven in this ...

An anal fissure is a tear or a break in the lining of the anal canal, where stool passes out of the body. They are painful ...

A digital rectal exam, which may be painful, may be needed if a definitive diagnosis of anal fissures cannot be made based on a patient’s history. 1 Anoscopy, which also may be painful, can be used to ...

DEAR DR. ROACH: My husband has been diagnosed with a rectal fissure. It has been a couple of months, and it isn't any better. He has been treated only with a stool softener. What do you suggest? — A.T ...