Cyst Removal

Pilonidal Cyst

 

What is the Pilonidal cyst?
A pilonidal cyst is a cyst that develops on your tailbone. If it becomes infected and filled with pus, it becomes a pilonidal abscess, which looks like a large pimple just above the crack of the buttocks. It's most common in people under 40 years of age and occurs more frequently in men than women.

What is the cause of Pilonidal cyst?
Ingrown hairs most likely cause pilonidal cysts since it is common to find hair follicles inside the cyst.

Another possible cause may be trauma to the sacrococcygeal region.

What are the symptoms of Pilonidal cyst?
Symptoms include pain, redness, and pus leakage at the bottom of the spine, and fevers may result in serious cases of infection.

How does the doctor make the diagnosis?
The doctor can diagnose a pilonidal cyst by taking a history and performing a physical exam.

How to treat Pilonidal cyst?
Medical Treatment
Antibiotics do not heal a pilonidal cyst. Doctors have any of a number of procedures available, including the following treatments.

• The preferred technique is incision and drainage of the cyst, removing the hair follicles, and packing the cavity with gauze. It's a simple procedure, but you'll need to frequently change the gauze packing until the cyst heals.
• Marsupialization - This procedure involves incision and draining, removal of pus and hair, and sewing the edges of the fibrous tract to the wound edges to make a pouch. This method minimizes the size and depth of the wound without using gauze packing. However, it requires about 6 weeks to heal.
• Another option is incision and drainage with immediate closing of the wound. Gauze won't be needed, but this method has a high rate of recurrence.

What are the post-op instructions?

• Keep the wound clean and covered while it heals. Wash around the area at least once a day.
• Have the wound checked at a follow-up visit to be sure it is healing.
• Consult the doctor immediately if the cyst reappears.