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Anal Fissure J006

Document
Last amended 
19 August 2019

In this section

Current RMA Instruments
Changes from previous Instruments

SOP Bulletin 210

ICD Coding
  • ICD-9-CM Codes:  565.0
  • ICD-10-AM Codes:  K60.0, K60.2
Brief description

An anal fissure starts with a tear to the lining within the distal half of the anal canal. The tear triggers cycles of recurring anal pain and bleeding and can go on to become a chronic condition.

Confirming the diagnosis

The diagnosis is made on clinical grounds and can be made by a treating GP.

The relevant medical specialist is a general surgeon.

Diagnoses covered by SOP
  • Fissure-in-ano
Conditions excluded from SOP
  • Anal fistula#
  • Anal abscess#
  • Haemorhoids*

* Another SOP applies

# Non-SOP condition

Clinical onset

Clinical onset will be based on the first onset of the characteristic pain.

Clinical worsening

The only worsening factor is for inability to obtain appropriate clinical management.  Anal fissures generally respond to conservative measures, including medications. Surgery may be required in refractory cases.