Pilonidal Sinus Surgery: Treatment, Procedure, and Recovery

Pilonidal Sinus Surgery

Pilonidal Sinus Surgery – Quick Facts

  • Performed to treat a condition known as a Pilonidal Cyst or Sinus
  • Also known as Pilonidal Cystectomy, this surgery is for cases where less invasive treatments have been ineffective or when the cyst becomes recurrent or severe.
  • Recovery can vary but often includes wound care and keeping the surgical area clean to prevent infection.
  • Most people can get back to normal activities within a few weeks after surgery.

Our surgeon, Dr. Daniel Serralta, holds several years of expertise in Pilonidal Sinus treatment. He may recommend certain lifestyle modifications and other ways or techniques to help prevent future occurrences of pilonidal cysts.

 

Understanding Pilonidal Cyst and Pilonidal Sinus

 

A Pilonidal Cyst is a closed sac filled with pus, hair, and debris that forms under the skin at the top of the buttock cleft, just above the tailbone. It is essentially a pocket of infection.

On the other hand, a Pilonidal Sinus is a tunnel or channel that extends from a pilonidal cyst to the surface of the skin. It forms when the cyst ruptures and drains, creating a passage.

 

Symptoms of Pilonidal Sinus

 

Among various symptoms of Pilonidal Sinus, the following are some of the most common ones:

 

  • Pain and Tenderness in the lower back or near the tailbone
  • Swelling
  • Drainage of Pus or Blood leading to foul-smelling discharge.
  • Fever and generally feeling unwell
  • Painful Sitting or Standing
  • Skin Flap, or Hole, or depression in the skin
  • Hair protruding from the sinus, contributing to its development and irritation.

 

Pilonidal Sinus Surgery Types

 

For Pilonidal CYSTS

 

Incision and Drainage

 

Pilonidal cyst incision and drainage is a simple procedure that is usually needed for cases where there is an abscess at the time of the consultation. It’s performed in a doctor’s office while the patient is sedated.

First, the healthcare professional will numb the area with an injection. The pus will then be drained through a small incision in the cyst. This reduces inflammation and pain.

Unless the infection has spread to nearby areas, antibiotics are usually not required for this procedure.

This is not a definitive treatment for the Pilonidal Sinus; it’s an emergent solution for the acute infection. A few weeks after this, you should have definitive surgery to remove the cyst.

 

Surgical Cyst Removal – Pilonidal Cystectomy

 

Pilonidal cyst surgeries are performed in an outpatient surgical center under regional or general anesthesia. The operation itself takes about 60 minutes to complete.

 

Types of Cyst Removal

 

There are several methods for removing pilonidal cysts:

  • Wide local excision – The area removed extends all the way down to the sacral fascia (the tissue that covers the muscles). The wound is wrapped in medicated wrap and left to heal from the bottom up. This is also called the “Classical open technique”
  • Excision with Marsupialization – The excision is followed by the removal of the cyst’s roof. Sutures are used to close the fibrous tissue.
  • Excision with closure – This procedure entails removing the cysts and sinus tracts and surgically closing the area.
  • Minimally Invasive treatments: 
    • Laser treatment – The cyst and its tracts are thoroughly cleaned and the tract is burnt with a laser fiber.
    • GIPS procedure – In this case, only the pits and the tracts are removed, leaving most part of the remaining tissue in place.
    • Endoscopic Pilonidal Sinus Treatment (EPSiT) – A thin, flexible tube-like device with a camera on the end (an endoscope) will be used by the surgeon to look inside your pilonidal sinus. Our surgeon treats and cleans the area with small instruments attached to the endoscope.
  • Excision with complex closure – In this procedure, after removing the cysts and sinus tracts, a specialized closure technique is employed. A flap is meticulously sutured beneath the skin bridge that is formed between the incision and the midline, promoting swifter healing and reducing the risk of recurrence. There are different kinds of closure:
    • Karydakis Modified Flap – The sinus is removed and a lateral flap is created to achieve a tension-free excentric wound.
    • Limberg Flap Reconstruction – This procedure entails the removal of the complete pilonidal sinus as well as the affected tissue surrounding it. We use healthy skin from your bottom to cover the removed area. 

 

Pilonidal Sinus Surgery Recovery

 

Depending on the surgery, your doctor usually will close the wound with aesthetical stitches. A drain must be left in place during the first days after surgery. The time it takes you to recover is determined by your surgical procedure. In general, Pilonidal Sinus surgery recovery time is about 2 to 4 weeks. However, very complex cases in which the wound has to be left open may take significantly longer. 

Within a month of surgery, most people can resume their normal activities. 

 

Aftercare post-Pilonidal Sinus surgery

 

During the recovery process, you may feel some pain or tenderness.

 

You can get rid of the discomfort by:

 

  • Taking pain relievers as directed by our expert
  • Avoiding strenuous activities

Our doctor will give you instructions on how to clean your wound. To avoid infection or recurrence, carefully follow these instructions.

If your doctor prescribes antibiotics, make sure to finish the entire course, even if you start feeling better before they’re done.

 

Get in touch with our expert surgeon for Pilonidal Sinus Surgery in Dubai

 

Choosing the right surgeon for Pilonidal Sinus Surgery is crucial for a successful and safe outcome. Our experienced veteran surgeon in Dubai has vast knowledge and expertise in this field, ensuring that you receive the best possible care and treatment. With our state-of-the-art facilities and advanced techniques, we strive to provide top-notch medical services to all our patients.

Don’t let Pilonidal Sinus affect your daily life any longer – contact us today to schedule a consultation with our skilled surgeon and take the first step towards complete healing.

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