COMMON ANAL 
PROBLEMS 
DR.K.R.DHARMENDRA, MS.,DNB., 
GENERAL & LAPAROSCOPIC SURGEON, 
AL HAYAT INTERNATIONAL HOSPITAL, MUSCAT.
OUTLINE 
• RELEVANT SURGICAL ANATOMY 
• HAEMORRHOIDS 
• FISSURE IN ANO 
• FISTULA IN ANO
SURGICAL ANATOMY OF 
ANAL CANAL 
• THE ANORECTAL RING 
• PUBORECTALIS MUSCLE 
• EXTERNAL ANAL SPHINCTER 
• THE INTERNAL ANAL SPHINCTER 
• DENTATE LINE 
• ANAL CUSHIONS
ANORECTAL RING 
Marks the junction between rectum & anal canal 
Formed by joining of 
 Puborectalis muscle 
 Deep External Sphincter 
 Conjoined Longitudinal muscle 
 Highest part of internal sphincter
PUBORECTALIS MUSCLE 
• Funnel shaped muscle 
• Maintains angle between anal canal & 
rectum 
• Important for continence mechanism 
• Innervated by Sacral somatic nerves
West becomes East !!!
EXTERNAL ANAL SPHINCTER 
• Single, somatic, voluntary muscle 
• Divided by lateral extensions from 
longitudinal muscle into 3 portions 
• Deep 
• Superficial 
• Subcutaneous 
• Innervated by Pudental Nerve
INTERNAL SPHINCTER 
• Involuntary muscle 
• Thickened distal continuation 
of circular coat of rectum 
• In a tonic state of contraction 
• Receives intrincic non-adrenergic 
and non-cholinergic 
fibres, stimulation 
of which causes release of NO 
which induces IS relaxation
DENTATE LINE 
• Important surgical landmark 
• Represents the site of fusion of 
proctodaeum and post-allantoic gut. 
• Site of crypts of Morgagni through which 
anal ducts that communicate with anal 
glands open into anal lumen.
DENTATE LINE 
Above 
 Pink Mucosa 
 Columnar epithelium 
 Superior Rectal Artery 
 Portal circulation 
 Autonomic Nervous system 
 Painless 
Below 
 Parchment coloured mucosa 
 Stratified Squamous epithelium 
 Inferior Rectal Artery 
 Systemic circulation 
 Somatic innervation 
 Painful
ANAL CUSHIONS 
• Uneven folds of mucosa & 
submucosa just above the 
dentate line 
• Left lateral 
• Right posterior 
• Right anterior 
• Contains sub epithelial 
meshwork of supporting 
tissues 
• Site of dense arterio venous 
plexus
HAEMORRHOIDS 
• Greek: 
haima = blood 
Rhoos = flowing 
• Latin: pila = a ball 
• Definition: 
Symptomatic 
anal cushions
Piles characteristically lie in 3, 7& 11 o’ clock 
positions 
These are the locations of the terminal branches of 
superior rectal artery
CAUSES OF HAEMORRHOIDS 
• Constipation 
• Fiber deficient diet 
• Straining to pass stool 
Shearing forces acting on the anus lead to 
caudal displacement of anal cushions. 
Fragmentation of supporting structures leads to 
loss of elasticity of cushions such that they no 
longer retract following defecation.
SYMPTOMS OF HAEMORRHOIDS 
• Bright –red , painless bleeding 
• Mucus discharge 
• Prolapsed mass 
• Pain only when prolapsed
BEWARE OF GI SYMPTOMS!! 
• Change of bowel habits 
• Mucus discharge 
• Tenesmus 
• Back pain 
• Anorexia/ Weight loss 
• Abdominal pain
DEGREES OF HAEMORRHOIDS
MX OF HAEMORRHOIDS 
• FIRST DEGREE: Conservative[Medical] 
• SECOND DEGREE: BARRON’S BANDING 
• 3RD & 4TH DEGREE: OPEN 
HAEMORRHOIDECTOMY 
OR 
STAPLED HAEMORRHOIDECTOMY
BARRON’S BANDING
STAPLED 
HAEMORRHOIDECTOMY 
• Introduced by Longo in 1998 
• Utilises a purpose designed stapling 
gun[PPH] 
• Excises a strip of mucosa & submucosa 
circumferentially 
• Above Dentate Line
STAPLED 
HAEMORRHOIDECTOMY
EXTERNAL HAEMORRHOIDS 
• Arising from superficial 
haemorrhoidal plexus 
• 5-Day, Painful, Self curing lesion 
• Termed as Perianal Haematoma 
• Within 48 hours: Evacuate under LA
EXTERNAL HAEMORRHOIDS
FISSURE IN ANO 
• A longitudinal split 
in the anoderm 
of distal anal canal 
• Not beyond Dentate line
Aetiology of Anal Fissure 
• Strained evacuation of hard stool 
• Anal Hypertonicity 
• Vascular insufficiency
Clinical Features of Anal Fissure 
• Severe anal pain on defecation 
• Bright red bleeding 
• Sentinel tag 
• Discharge, itching
Ectopic site suggests a more 
sinister cause!!! 
• Crohn’s Disease 
• TB 
• HIV 
• Syphilis 
• Chlamydia 
• Chancroid 
• Lymphogranuloma Venereum 
• HSV 
• Cytomegalovirus 
• Kaposi’s Sarcoma 
• B cell Lymphoma 
• Squamous cell carcinoma
Management of Anal Fissure 
• Conservative MX: 
Stool bulking agents 
Stool Softeners 
• Local Anaesthetic cream 
• 0.2 % Glyceryl Trinitrate 
• 2% Diltiazem cream
Operative measures for Anal 
Fissure 
• Lateral Anal Sphincterotomy 
• Anal Advancement Flap
FISTULA IN ANO 
It is a chronic abnormal 
communication lined by granulation 
tissue, which runs outwards from the 
anorectal lumen to an external 
opening on the skin of perineum or 
buttock.
Presentation of Anal Fistula 
• Intermittent perianal 
purulent discharge 
• Pain 
• Previous episode 
of anorectal sepsis
Park’s Classification 
“Based on the centrality of intersphincteric anal 
gland sepsis, which results in a primary track 
whose relation to the External sphincter” 
• Intersphincteric 
• Trans-sphincteric 
• Supra sphincteric 
• Extra sphincteric
Goodsall’s Rule 
Anterior: Drain straight 
Posterior: Drain curved to anorectal midline
Surgical Management 
• Fistulotomy 
• LIFT Procedure 
• Fistula Plug 
• Advancement flap 
• Setons
FIAT TRIAL
LIFT 
• Identify the internal opening 
• Incision at intersphincteric groove 
• Dissection through intersphincteric plane to find intersphincteric 
fistula tract 
• Secure suture ligation of intersphincteric fistula tract 
• Remove the fistula tract 
• Curette fistula tract from external opening 
• Suture closure of external sphincter muscle defect 
• Closure of intersphincteric wound
Cutting Setons 
• Latin: seta = bristle 
• High Fistula eradication without functional 
impairment 
• The enclosed muscle is gradually severed 
• Divided muscles do not spring apart 
• Fistulous tract is replaced by fibrosis
Synthetic, bioabsorbable scaffold of polyglycolic 
acid and trimethylene carbonate copolymer
Practice Pearls 
 Squatting is the only natural defecation posture 
 Proctoscopy is the guide to plan the treatment of piles 
 Currently Stapled Haemorrhoidopexy is the choice 
 Proctoscopy is abandoned in acute anal fissure 
 Pain is the differentiating feature between fissure & piles 
 Only complicated piles presents with pain 
 Beware of GI symptoms associated with piles 
 Hence never hesitate to go for colonoscopy 
 Majority of external piles don’t need any intervention 
 Ectopic Fissure smells danger 
 Rule out Crohn’s Disease in recurrent anal fistula 
 MRI is essential to locate internal opening 
 LIFT & Fistula Plug procedures preserves continence
A 
DHARMENDRA 
PRESENTATION

Anorectal diseases

  • 1.
    COMMON ANAL PROBLEMS DR.K.R.DHARMENDRA, MS.,DNB., GENERAL & LAPAROSCOPIC SURGEON, AL HAYAT INTERNATIONAL HOSPITAL, MUSCAT.
  • 2.
    OUTLINE • RELEVANTSURGICAL ANATOMY • HAEMORRHOIDS • FISSURE IN ANO • FISTULA IN ANO
  • 3.
    SURGICAL ANATOMY OF ANAL CANAL • THE ANORECTAL RING • PUBORECTALIS MUSCLE • EXTERNAL ANAL SPHINCTER • THE INTERNAL ANAL SPHINCTER • DENTATE LINE • ANAL CUSHIONS
  • 4.
    ANORECTAL RING Marksthe junction between rectum & anal canal Formed by joining of  Puborectalis muscle  Deep External Sphincter  Conjoined Longitudinal muscle  Highest part of internal sphincter
  • 5.
    PUBORECTALIS MUSCLE •Funnel shaped muscle • Maintains angle between anal canal & rectum • Important for continence mechanism • Innervated by Sacral somatic nerves
  • 7.
  • 8.
    EXTERNAL ANAL SPHINCTER • Single, somatic, voluntary muscle • Divided by lateral extensions from longitudinal muscle into 3 portions • Deep • Superficial • Subcutaneous • Innervated by Pudental Nerve
  • 9.
    INTERNAL SPHINCTER •Involuntary muscle • Thickened distal continuation of circular coat of rectum • In a tonic state of contraction • Receives intrincic non-adrenergic and non-cholinergic fibres, stimulation of which causes release of NO which induces IS relaxation
  • 10.
    DENTATE LINE •Important surgical landmark • Represents the site of fusion of proctodaeum and post-allantoic gut. • Site of crypts of Morgagni through which anal ducts that communicate with anal glands open into anal lumen.
  • 11.
    DENTATE LINE Above  Pink Mucosa  Columnar epithelium  Superior Rectal Artery  Portal circulation  Autonomic Nervous system  Painless Below  Parchment coloured mucosa  Stratified Squamous epithelium  Inferior Rectal Artery  Systemic circulation  Somatic innervation  Painful
  • 12.
    ANAL CUSHIONS •Uneven folds of mucosa & submucosa just above the dentate line • Left lateral • Right posterior • Right anterior • Contains sub epithelial meshwork of supporting tissues • Site of dense arterio venous plexus
  • 14.
    HAEMORRHOIDS • Greek: haima = blood Rhoos = flowing • Latin: pila = a ball • Definition: Symptomatic anal cushions
  • 15.
    Piles characteristically liein 3, 7& 11 o’ clock positions These are the locations of the terminal branches of superior rectal artery
  • 16.
    CAUSES OF HAEMORRHOIDS • Constipation • Fiber deficient diet • Straining to pass stool Shearing forces acting on the anus lead to caudal displacement of anal cushions. Fragmentation of supporting structures leads to loss of elasticity of cushions such that they no longer retract following defecation.
  • 17.
    SYMPTOMS OF HAEMORRHOIDS • Bright –red , painless bleeding • Mucus discharge • Prolapsed mass • Pain only when prolapsed
  • 18.
    BEWARE OF GISYMPTOMS!! • Change of bowel habits • Mucus discharge • Tenesmus • Back pain • Anorexia/ Weight loss • Abdominal pain
  • 19.
  • 20.
    MX OF HAEMORRHOIDS • FIRST DEGREE: Conservative[Medical] • SECOND DEGREE: BARRON’S BANDING • 3RD & 4TH DEGREE: OPEN HAEMORRHOIDECTOMY OR STAPLED HAEMORRHOIDECTOMY
  • 21.
  • 22.
    STAPLED HAEMORRHOIDECTOMY •Introduced by Longo in 1998 • Utilises a purpose designed stapling gun[PPH] • Excises a strip of mucosa & submucosa circumferentially • Above Dentate Line
  • 23.
  • 24.
    EXTERNAL HAEMORRHOIDS •Arising from superficial haemorrhoidal plexus • 5-Day, Painful, Self curing lesion • Termed as Perianal Haematoma • Within 48 hours: Evacuate under LA
  • 25.
  • 28.
    FISSURE IN ANO • A longitudinal split in the anoderm of distal anal canal • Not beyond Dentate line
  • 29.
    Aetiology of AnalFissure • Strained evacuation of hard stool • Anal Hypertonicity • Vascular insufficiency
  • 32.
    Clinical Features ofAnal Fissure • Severe anal pain on defecation • Bright red bleeding • Sentinel tag • Discharge, itching
  • 33.
    Ectopic site suggestsa more sinister cause!!! • Crohn’s Disease • TB • HIV • Syphilis • Chlamydia • Chancroid • Lymphogranuloma Venereum • HSV • Cytomegalovirus • Kaposi’s Sarcoma • B cell Lymphoma • Squamous cell carcinoma
  • 34.
    Management of AnalFissure • Conservative MX: Stool bulking agents Stool Softeners • Local Anaesthetic cream • 0.2 % Glyceryl Trinitrate • 2% Diltiazem cream
  • 35.
    Operative measures forAnal Fissure • Lateral Anal Sphincterotomy • Anal Advancement Flap
  • 36.
    FISTULA IN ANO It is a chronic abnormal communication lined by granulation tissue, which runs outwards from the anorectal lumen to an external opening on the skin of perineum or buttock.
  • 37.
    Presentation of AnalFistula • Intermittent perianal purulent discharge • Pain • Previous episode of anorectal sepsis
  • 40.
    Park’s Classification “Basedon the centrality of intersphincteric anal gland sepsis, which results in a primary track whose relation to the External sphincter” • Intersphincteric • Trans-sphincteric • Supra sphincteric • Extra sphincteric
  • 42.
    Goodsall’s Rule Anterior:Drain straight Posterior: Drain curved to anorectal midline
  • 43.
    Surgical Management •Fistulotomy • LIFT Procedure • Fistula Plug • Advancement flap • Setons
  • 44.
  • 45.
    LIFT • Identifythe internal opening • Incision at intersphincteric groove • Dissection through intersphincteric plane to find intersphincteric fistula tract • Secure suture ligation of intersphincteric fistula tract • Remove the fistula tract • Curette fistula tract from external opening • Suture closure of external sphincter muscle defect • Closure of intersphincteric wound
  • 47.
    Cutting Setons •Latin: seta = bristle • High Fistula eradication without functional impairment • The enclosed muscle is gradually severed • Divided muscles do not spring apart • Fistulous tract is replaced by fibrosis
  • 48.
    Synthetic, bioabsorbable scaffoldof polyglycolic acid and trimethylene carbonate copolymer
  • 50.
    Practice Pearls Squatting is the only natural defecation posture  Proctoscopy is the guide to plan the treatment of piles  Currently Stapled Haemorrhoidopexy is the choice  Proctoscopy is abandoned in acute anal fissure  Pain is the differentiating feature between fissure & piles  Only complicated piles presents with pain  Beware of GI symptoms associated with piles  Hence never hesitate to go for colonoscopy  Majority of external piles don’t need any intervention  Ectopic Fissure smells danger  Rule out Crohn’s Disease in recurrent anal fistula  MRI is essential to locate internal opening  LIFT & Fistula Plug procedures preserves continence
  • 52.