Effective Treatment for Pilonidal Cysts: Excision Overview
“Suffering from a pilonidal cyst is a painful experience. Management is difficult for infected cysts and a pilonidal cyst excision is the only available option for complete recovery. But the surgery itself is complicated and requires in-depth understanding to sail through comfortably.”
At the treatment centre headed by Allen Kamrava MD, MBA, an end to end support is provided for managing painful and chronic pilonidal cysts. Complete recovery is thus possible with proper treatment and care.
A pilonidal cyst is very common. But it typically goes unreported due to its presence at an awkward location – at the end of the tailbone between the cheeks of the buttocks. Patients reach for medical help only when it gets infected. At this point, a pilonidal cyst excision is the best way forward.
What Is A Pilonidal Cyst?
The area between the clefts of the buttocks is the prime spot. Friction during walking and wearing tight clothes causes the skin folds to rub against each other. The hair follicles start to trap hair roots and dead skin cells. This is the formation of the cyst. Poor hygiene habits further complicate matters. The infection causes the pus to accumulate in the cyst, making it extremely painful.
The condition is relatively common in young adults. Men have a higher hair growth in the sacrococcygeal area, making them more prone to develop the condition. Long sitting hours, bad lifestyle habits fueling obesity and genetics are other factors to blame.
What Is Pilonidal Cyst Excision?
Removing the cyst is the only way for recovery. The pilonidal cyst treatments include non-surgical and invasive options. In patients where symptoms are severe like pain and pus drainage, the surgical removal of the cyst and the surrounding skin tissue area is the best advocated practice. As the cyst has a high rate of relapse, proper management of the condition is important.
Why Pilonidal Cyst Excision?
Treatment for pilonidal cyst starts with non-surgical and less aggressive treatments. Drainage, antibiotics, and hair removal are the first step. But if the patient fails to find long term relief, the surgeon will consider removing the entire infected area. Through excision, there is a complete removal of the cyst and associated sinus tracts. This reduces the likelihood of recurrence and complications manifold.
Merits Of Pilonidal Cyst Excision Over Other Methods
There are certain distinct advantages of pilonidal cyst excision over other treatment pilonidal cyst. These are:
Long Term Relief
By removing the source of infection, it aims at providing permanent relief. It is the only solution for treating chronic cysts with a recurrent relapse.
Reduces Future Complications
A timely excision prevents the sinus tract from getting infected. As the spread of infection and advancement of the disease can lead to irreversible damage.
Low Chances Of Relapse
As compared to all other treatment options available for pilonidal cyst, excision offers the best treatment outcomes. When combined with good postoperative care, it offers complete recovery.
Better Life
With no pain and discomfort and surety of no discharge, one experiences peace of mind. It definitely improves quality of life.
The Excision Procedure
The invasive excision cannot be performed without the use of anesthesia. The choice between administering local or general anesthesia will depend on several factors. The size of the cyst and degree of complexity are the main points taken into consideration. In less complex cases the colorectal surgeon will ask for the patient’s preference.
The process starts with preparing the site. The wound is sterilized and local antibiotics will be used to control the spread of infection. Shaving and hair removal reduces infection risk. An incision is made to cut open the cyst. The entire sac containing the hair roots, skin cells, and pus buildup is removed. All surrounding infected skin tissue is scraped off. The choice to close the wound opening with stitches or leave it open to allow it to heal inside out will lie on the doctor’s competence and experience.
Wound management is an important step to follow. The do’s and don’ts will depend upon if the wound is left open or closed with sutures. Both procedures have different pros and cons with different healing time and treatment outcomes. For instance, closed wounds heal quickly but have a higher relapse risk. On the other hand, wound management is difficult in open wound procedures. Also, healing takes longer but it minimizes recurrence risk.
Complications To Watch Out For
Wound hygiene, pain management, medication, and lifestyle modifications are extremely important to enjoy a complete recovery. If things are not managed properly, the chances of infection resurfacing and formation of a cyst in the same or nearby hair follicle is high. The main risks include reinfection at the surgical site, formation of a new cyst, sutures breaking open, and visible scarring at the site.
Final Thoughts
Pilonidal cyst excision is a proven treatment method for pilonidal cysts. Its effectiveness and efficacy is high particularly for chronic cases or patients at high risk of recurrent relapse. Dr Allen Kamrava MD, MBA is an experienced colorectal surgeon. He treats the root cause of the condition and removes the problematic tissue for permanent relief. His hand-holding approach for post operative wound management ensures effective management and best treatment outcomes. Patient preference, disease prognosis, and degree of complexity, all play a crucial role in deciding the best method of excision for pilonidal cyst.
