by StevePain » 17 Dec 2010, 03:12
Anal Stenosis:
Symptoms
The restriction of the anal canal prevents the normal expulsion of faeces, resulting in constipation, babies may also experience pain when trying to open their bowels.
Causes and risk factors
Anal stenosis may be present from birth, when it might be accompanied by malformations of the anal opening this happens in one in several thousand births.
Sometimes the opening appears further forward than normal, in girls, it's usually immediately behind or inside the female genitalia, in boys, there may be no obvious opening at all or just a small area of bulging skin or a tiny channel under the skin.
More commonly, stenosis develops as a result of scarring from a tiny fissure, or crack, in the anal canal. This is what tends to happen in adults with anal stenosis, but it can also occur in babies.
Treatment and recovery
Low-risk treatments:
Laxatives and suppositories are used to help loosen motions and lubricate the anal canal, to make it easier to empty the bowels, there's little risk the person affected will come to any harm if they're used as prescribed and only for a matter of months.
It must be remembered the risks are considerably less than those if they were allowed to become constipated, individuals suffering from anal stenosis aren't likely to become dependent on the laxatives and suppositories.
Surgical treatments:
Treatment of anal stenosis depends on the extent of the problem, in most cases all that's needed is for the anal canal to be stretched, often this can be done by the doctor in the hospital clinic, without the need for anaesthetic.
If the stenosis is severe, dilation may performed done under anaesthesia, more major surgery is only needed if there are other malformations or the anal canal needs repositioning.
Even in this case, surgery shouldn't be too painful, patients should be given adequate pain control using drugs as necessary.