K60: Fissure and fistula of anal and rectal regions

The conditions range under 'Fissure and fistula of anal and rectal regions' primarily affects the lower digestive tract, specifically the anal and rectal regions. An anal fissure refers to a small tear in the thin, moist tissue (mucosa) that lines the anus, often resulting from passage of hard or large stools, but it can also appear due to constipation, straining during childbirth, or inflammatory bowel disease. This condition usually causes minor bleeding and intense pain during and after bowel movements. On the other hand, a rectal or anal fistula is an abnormal, tunnel-like connection between the rectum or anus and the skin around the anus. A fistula typically forms as a result of an abscess, or infection in the anal gland, that spreads to the skin. Symptoms might include discomfort, redness, swelling around the anus, and potentially foul-smelling drainage. Both conditions can affect people at any age.