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Anorectal disorders are commonly encountered in our surgical practice. Anorectal conditions cause significant disability and discomfort to the patient and negatively affect their quality of life. These are the common reasons for patients to consult healthcare specialists, including primary care physicians, surgeons and gastroenterologists. The prevalence of anorectal disorders in the general population is much higher than that observed by the clinicians, because most patients with symptoms of anorectal disorders do not seek medical consultation, commonly because of shyness, ignorance, awkwardness, or lack of awareness. The commonly manifested symptoms include: anal pain, bleeding, burning/itching sensation, mass protrusion, swelling, constipation, diarrhea, seepage, discharge (pus or mucus), and incontinence. Multiple, overlapping symptoms can often be present which can cause significant dilemmas during diagnosis and management. Various structural, neuromuscular, and functional disorders have been described and included within the group of anorectal disorders. Literature mentions common anorectal conditions, which include: hemorrhoids, anal fissures, fistula-in-ano, anorectal abscesses (rectal/perianal abscess), proctitis, rectal polyps, rectal prolapse, rectocele, solitary rectal ulcer syndrome, proctalgia fugax, levator ani syndrome, dyssynergic defecation, pruritus ani, rectal foreign bodies, fecal incontinence, pilonidal sinus disease, anal warts, and anorectal (colorectal) cancers. Furthermore, there are certain rare anorectal conditions, such as adult colorectal intussusception. Diagnosis is based on the detailed history, physical examination (including inspection and digital rectal examination), and use of selected investigations. Dietary modifications, lifestyle changes and regulation of bowel habits are often the basic management of most of the anorectal disorders. Conservative medical, non-operative interventions and surgical management options have been practiced based on the diagnosis of anorectal disorders. In the Indian Scenario, there is a lack of epidemiological knowledge and awareness regarding the anorectal disorders among the general public. The anorectal disorders are generally observed in the young and middle-aged population, with a male preponderance. 2 Hemorrhoids, anal fissures, and fistula-in-ano are, by far, the commonest anorectal disorders encountered. Constipation, poor perineal hygiene and pregnancy (in females) have been established as the commonest risk factors for anorectal pathologies
