PURPOSE The constant presence of a narrow subcutaneous tract extending caudad to chronic fissures-in-ano is reported. The efficacy of surgically unroofing this tract (subcutaneous fissurotomy) without sphincterotomy was evaluated. METHODS By using a narrow-gauge, hooked probe, a constant, midline subcutaneous tract was identified extending from the caudad aspect of chronic anal fissures. Thes...

BACKGROUND Anal fissure (AF) is regarded as a common problem, but there are no published epidemiologic data, nor information on current treatment. The purpose of this study was to examine the incidence, associated comorbidities, and treatment of AF in a population-based cohort. METHODS We conducted a retrospective analysis of all persons who were enrolled in one large regional managed care sy...