An abnormal channel opening formed between the anal canal and skin, due to any inflammation caused by previous anal abscesses is termed an anal fistula. Diseases like Crohn’s disease that causes ulcers in the bowel area and leads to fistula can also cause an anal fistula. A fissure is any break or ulcer caused in the skin lining of the last part of the rectum just before the anus, i.e., an anal canal tear. A fissure can be caused by forced dry bowel movements or hard anal intercourse. Any kind of anal abscess is highly painful due to the collection of pus in the area surrounding the anus, either in the integral deep tissue (in case of perirectal abscess) or in the shallow part under the skin surrounding the anus (in case of perianal abscess). Anal abscesses, fistula, or anorectal fissures cause people constant stress and pain until treatment is concluded.
 

Causes

The primary cause of anal abscesses such as perirectal and perianal abscesses is blocked glands around the anal area. Thus, anal abscesses generally develop from the glands, though perianal abscesses may also develop from infection of the skin adjacent to the anus. A perirectal abscess or perirectal disorder like a fissure is the collection of pus due to a soft tissue inflammation outside the anal verge. Increased pus production by the anal abscess causes fistula.
 

Systemic diseases including Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis are also causes of anal abscess. Sexually transmitted infections are also among the causes of anal and rectal abscess. Infection in anal fissures might be among causes of anorectal abscess.
 

The signs and symptoms of fissure and fistula are almost similar. Symptoms of anal abscess include:

Treatment of fissures and fistulas is by surgery and drainage. However, some antibiotics and other effective medications might treat some mild anal abscesses that have no other complication.
 

Among treatments, both the fistula and fissure surgery can be done simultaneously. However, a fistula grows after four weeks after an anal or rectal abscess surgery. Therefore, it is not always justified to say abscission and fistula surgeries may take place together. Again, fissure or fistula surgery are extremely painful treatments where the patient requires painkillers after the surgery. Doctor advised specific after treatment care must be taken after fissure, fistula, or the anal abscess surgery.

Please note that fissure, fistula or the anal abscess in general can recur in rare cases after surgery.