Much has been said about pilonidal disease, a painful and very complex condition, in which each patient presents very particular and individual conditions. However, we will begin by indicating the pilonidal cyst is an abnormal cavity caused by the accumulation of skin and hair that results in a chronic infection located at the base of the spine, at the level of the sacral bone or intergluteal groove.
It is a fistula in the sacrococcygeal area, which tends to occur more frequently among young, white men with a lot of body hair. However, it can also occur in women, although to a lesser extent. Because it is a common disease, but one that requires specialized treatment, we will tell you about it in this article. Keep reading!
10 facts you should know about pilonidal disease
- The pilonidal cyst has a higher incidence in young people, between 20 and 30 years old, with a lot of body hair, mainly in men.
- It is a condition in the sacrococcygeal region that is usually very painful and annoying, so immediate treatment is warranted, preventing the cavity from becoming deeper and more complex.
- In some cases, it is possible to eliminate the symptoms of a pilonidal cyst with a small incision and drainage of the cyst. When the drainage treatment of the pilonidal cyst is not effective, it is necessary to resort to complete pilonidal resection surgery or pilonidal cystectomy, which is considered the definitive surgical procedure for the elimination of the pilonidal abscess.
- Surgical removal of the pilonidal sinus is usually the option required in more complex cases, which have not responded to the initial drainage or the prescribed medication, so the patient continues to have problems with the pilonidal cyst.
- There is no one-size-fits-all formula for healing a pilonidal cyst, as it usually takes a while to find the effective solution for pilonidal sinus and may involve several steps along the way.
- In any case of pilonidal sinus, the patient must immediately put himself in the hands of doctors specialized in colorectal pathologies, so as to be able to obtain relief and solution safely and as soon as possible.
- In the diagnostic consultation, the specialist will indicate the most appropriate protocol to follow according to the case. However, if the surgical route is the most indicated, the doctor will indicate the steps of the preoperative phase, required tests, use of general local anesthesia and the approach, generally with the pilonidal cystectomy technique, an operation common to solve the problems of sacrococcygeal fistula permanently.
- Once the surgery is completed, the patient will be transferred to the resuscitation room where they remain until recovering from the effects of the anesthesia and will be under observation for the next 24 hours until discharge from the hospital. Next, the specialist will offer postoperative instructions and care to keep the area clean and protected from friction or hair near the wound, as well as the intake of the prescribed medications.
- Total recovery after pilonidal surgery is 1 – 2 months, always depending on the patient’s healing capacity and how deep the cavity caused by the pilonidal cyst was.
- The price of the pilonidal cyst operation in Spain ranges between €1,650 and €2,000 on average, with a closed and all-inclusive budget,
5 frequently asked questions about pilonidal sinus
1. How many times can you get a pilonidal cyst?
On average, pilonidal cysts recur in 50% of people who undergo surgery for the first time. Even after a second surgery, they can recur.
2. What happens if I don’t have pilonidal cyst surgery?
If a chronically infected pilonidal cyst is not treated properly, you may have a slightly increased risk of developing a type of skin cancer called squamous cell carcinoma.
3. Who should operate on a pilonidal cyst?
It is a very precise pathology, which must be operated on by a specialist in coloproctology, responsible for the diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the colon, rectum and anus. The pilonidal cyst, being located in the region above the intergluteal fold, would fall within the areas treated by these specialists.
4. How long does it take for a pilonidal sinus to heal?
It is very complex to say, since the pilonidal cyst can take from a few days to months to heal or close, depending on the circumstance and diagnosis. In acute cases with spontaneous drainage, it can last about 15 days. Meanwhile, when surgical drainage is performed, cures can take up to 3 weeks.
5. How to avoid pilonidal cyst?
For those who have suffered a pilonidal cyst, the best way to prevent its recurrence is to keep the area free of hair. As we know, cysts are caused by a hair, if we avoid having hair in the area, the chances of suffering from it again are lower.
