A pilonidal(pie-low-NIE-dul) cyst is an abnormal pocket in the skin that usually contains hair and skin debris. A pilonidal cyst is almost located near the tailbone at the top of the cleft of the buttocks.
These pilonidal cysts typically occur when hair punctures the skin and then becomes embedded. If a pilonidal cyst becomes infected, the resulting abscess is often extremely painful. The cyst can be drained through a small incision or removed surgically.
Pilonidal cysts most commonly occur in young men, and the problem has a tendency to recur. People who sit for prolonged periods of time, such as truck drivers, are at higher risk of developing a pilonidal cyst.
Pilonidal Symptoms
When it's infected, a pilonidal cyst becomes a swollen mass (abscess). Signs and symptoms of an infected pilonidal cyst include:
Pain
Reddening of the skin
Drainage of pus or blood from an opening in the skin
Foul smell from draining pus
Fever
Treatment
1. WIDE EXCISION OF PILONIDAL SINUS
In this procedure the surgeon does a wide bore local excision of the skin containing the sinus tract. The resulting cavity is left open to heal and fill in naturally from the bottom upwards. The wound is kept covered with a dressing. The disadvantage of wide excision is that the wound size is large and healing may take upto 3 months. The dressing needs to be changed daily making it a tedious process. However the procedure is safe with a recurrence rate of 10-15%.
2. LASER PILONIDOPLASTY ( LPP )
This is a minimally invasive procedure done using the Leonardo laser. This laser was first introduced in India by Dr. Ashwin Porwal at Healing Hands Clinic. In LPP, a small cut is made on the skin and all the pus is drained out. The entire sinus tract is then sealed with the laser fibre.
Advantages of LPP :
Patient is discharged within 24 hours and can return to routine work by the 5th day.
Wound healing occurs in about 6-8 weeks and thus recovery is much faster as compared to conventional Wide excision.
Recurrence rate is negligible.
