Las personas que en la etapa inicial del sinus, cuando no hay tantas molestias ni dolor, se preguntan “qué pasa si no se controla la infección de un quiste sacro”, ignoran por completo las severas complicaciones asociadas a esta enfermedad.
The risks associated with lack of treatment or inadequate treatment of this condition can be, in some cases, life-threatening.
Let’s delve into this…
What happens if the infection of a sacral cyst is not controlled?
The risks of not controlling the infection of a sacral cyst include:
Spread of infection
If a sacral cyst is not treated in time, the infection can spread to surrounding tissues, causing cellulitis or abscesses.
- Cellulitis is a bacterial skin infection that can be painful and requires treatment with antibiotics.
- The abscesses, on the other hand, are collections of pus that may require surgical drainage.
Simply put, untreated infection of this disease can progress to other types of more painful and annoying pathologies.
Fistula formation
Chronic infection can lead to the formation of fistulas, which are abnormal connections between the cyst and the surface of the skin or other organs.
Fistulas can cause continuous drainage of pus and are difficult to treat without surgery.
Persistent pain and discomfort
An infected sacral cyst can cause severe pain and ongoing discomfort, affecting the patient’s ability to perform normal daily activities.
The pain may be exacerbated by pressure when sitting or moving.
Sepsis
En casos severos, la infección puede diseminarse al torrente sanguíneo, causando sepsis.
Sepsis is a life-threatening condition that requires immediate medical attention and can lead to organ failure and death if not treated in time.
Sinus recurrence
When pilonidal sinus is not treated or is treated inadequately, the chances of its recurrence multiply.
There are people with multiple recurrences of sinus over the years due to not receiving adequate treatment in time.
Importance of adequate treatment
Receiving proper treatment for a sacral cyst is crucial to avoiding serious complications.
As for the choice of treatment, this will depend on the severity of the infection and the recurrence of the cysts, although the most common approaches include:
Cyst drainage
In the acute phase, drainage of the cyst is essential to relieve pain and pressure.
It is important to note that this procedure must be performed by a specialist to ensure complete drainage and minimize the risk of recurrence.
If you have a pilonidal cyst, do not try to drain it at home.
Antibiotics
Antibiotics may be necessary to control the bacterial infection, especially if the infection has spread to surrounding tissues.
For the treatment to be effective and the infection to be completely eradicated, the full course of antibiotics must be followed as prescribed by the doctor.
Pilonidal sinus surgery
There are several surgical techniques that we recommend at our center to treat sacral cyst, each with its own advantages and disadvantages:
- Marsupialization
It consists of opening the cyst and suturing the edges to the skin to allow continuous drainage. This technique is useful in certain specific cases, although the cures are painful.
- En Block Removal
A complete removal of the cyst and surrounding affected tissue is performed, which may be necessary in cases of severe recurrence.
- Modified Karydakis Flap
This advanced technique involves removing the cyst and covering the affected area with a skin flap, significantly reducing the risk of recurrence.
- Other Flaps
In more complex cases, advancement or rotation flaps can be used to cover the affected area after excision of the cyst, facilitating optimal healing.
Postoperative care
Postoperative follow-up is essential to ensure adequate recovery and minimize the risk of sacral cyst recurrence.
Key aspects of postoperative care include:
- Regular wound cleaning
- Use of appropriate bandages
- Pain management with prescription pain relievers
- Limit physical activity and avoid lifting heavy objects
- Maintain a balanced diet
- Be well hydrated
- Be alert for any signs of infection
- Go to follow-up visits
- Follow medical instructions and recommendations.
Which specialist should you go to for treatment?
A coloproctologist or a surgeon specialized in pilonidal sinus is the professional you should go to if you present signs of this disease.
This specialist will be the one who determines the most appropriate surgical technique according to the severity of the condition and the individual characteristics of the patient.
We must also mention that inadequate treatment or treatment performed by professionals without the necessary experience can result in recurrences and additional complications.
This is about your health, so we recommend choosing an experienced professional.
At Innova Cirugía, we specialize in different surgical techniques for pilonidal sinus .
If you have any further questions, need guidance or would like to receive treatment, please do not hesitate to contact us .



