肛裂可能是一种局部缺血性溃疡。[5]Schouten WR, Briel JW, Auwerda JJ, et al. Ischaemic nature of anal fissure. Br J Surg. 1996;83:63-65.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8653368?tool=bestpractice.com[7]Cross KL, Massey EJ, Fowler AL, et al; ACPGBI. The management of anal fissure: ACPGBI position statement. Colorectal Dis. 2008;10(suppl 3):1-7.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18954306?tool=bestpractice.com通过尸体解剖研究肛门的血液供应,结果显示,肛管后中线的血液循环较差,并且 90% 以上的肛裂发生在后中线。[8]Klosterhalfen B, Vogel P, Rixen H, et al. Topography of the inferior rectal artery: a possible cause of chronic, primary anal fissure. Dis Colon Rectum. 1989;32:43-52.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2910660?tool=bestpractice.com[9]Lund JN, Binch C, McGrath J, et al. Topographical distribution of blood supply to the anal canal. Br J Surg. 1999;86:496-498.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10215822?tool=bestpractice.com肛门内括约肌痉挛进一步减少了血液供应。当排出会撕裂肝门皮肤的硬便时,则无足够的血液供应来愈合撕裂的皮肤。另外,后中线的皮肤也会撕裂,并且有更多微创伤,无法愈合。
所有治疗旨在减少肛门内括约肌痉挛,增加局部血流,减轻症状,愈合撕裂口。肛门内括约肌痉挛可能是由局部一氧化氮合成酶缺乏导致的,经证明,应用有机硝酸膏会有效降低肛门静息压,改善排便痛,愈合率为 50% 至 67%。[10]Lund JN, Scholefield JH. A randomised, prospective, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of glyceryl trinitrate ointment in treatment of anal fissure. Lancet. 1997;349:11-14.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8988115?tool=bestpractice.com[11]Nelson RL, Thomas K, Morgan J, et al. Non surgical therapy for anal fissure. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2012;(2):CD003431.http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD003431.pub3/fullhttp://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22336789?tool=bestpractice.com其他降低肛门静息压的制剂例如钙通道阻滞剂和肉毒杆菌毒素,也显示相似的结果。[11]Nelson RL, Thomas K, Morgan J, et al. Non surgical therapy for anal fissure. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2012;(2):CD003431.http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD003431.pub3/fullhttp://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22336789?tool=bestpractice.com通过手术切开肛门内括约肌是一种降低肛门静息压的有效手段。