Pilonidal cyst surgery is a typically simple procedure in which a small cut is made to create a path for the pus in the cyst to ooze out. A professional surgeon can do it with ease with the help of local anesthesia in the doctor’s office. At first, you will need to numb the area and then create an incision in the region to drain the pus. Once done successfully, it will reduce both your pain and inflammation, thereby giving you a sense of relief. It is usually recommended to ask someone who can assist you on the go, as you will have sores.
A pilonidal cyst excision surgery can actually be done only under general anesthesia and may take up to 45 minutes to get the process done. It will remove the whole cyst and can be a bit more complex than the removal of just the tracts. Indeed, you will not need to get hold of any antibiotics until you see that the infection has spread all over the surrounding regions.
What are the various types of pilonidal cyst excision surgery?
- Excision with marsupialization: In this process, the surgeon removes the roof of the cyst. Thus, the fibrous tissue is sutured.
- Wide excision: This includes the removal of the fascia of the sacrum. Once done, the wound is wrapped up with medicated packaging. It would require some time to heal the wound.
- Excision with closure: In this method, both the sinus tracts and the cyst are removed.
- Excision with complex closure: A flap technique is used to close the region of the wound. It is sutured beneath the skin area, between that of the region of the incision and the midline. It is meant to assure faster healing. This will also prevent the chances of having the cyst all over again.
How much time will it take for the cyst to recover completely?
A pilonidal cyst surgery recovery time will usually vary depending on –
- whether your physician has left open the wounded portion
- or if they have allowed you to close your stitches.
This will depend solely on the number of stitches you had and how deep your wound is! It is all about how your surgery took place. But you may consider a time span of 1 to 3 months in approximation to get a complete recovery.
When can you commence your regular activities post pilonidal surgery?
Once you have had your surgery, you will be able to get back to your day-to-day activities in just a time span of 1 month at maximum. However, it is better to opt for a follow-up appointment with your doctor post 6 weeks depending on the –
- sutures you had
- the packing of your wound
Be careful while you commence your regular activities after the surgery.
Give time to yourself and your wound too! You can manage a pilonidal cyst by –
- preventing yourself on hard surfaces for a long span of time
- skipping strenuous activities
- and of course, taking all the medicines that your doctor has advised without any miss!
Also, make sure that you are keeping your wounded area clean all the time, as that may leave scope for the infection to spread unnecessarily all across your body. If your surgeon has prescribed you some antibiotics, ensure that you are completing the full course even if you think you have recovered beforehand.
How do you know that you should be getting in touch with your doctor even after the surgery is successful?
You might need to see your doctor even after your surgery was done successfully. You must be able to identify it when you start feeling feverish, or you witness pus draining out of your incision area. Go to your doctor without any delay and do not wait for the trouble to get severe if you have to experience –
- warmth
- swelling
- redness
- pain in the area of your surgery
Can your pilonidal cyst come back?
Yes, you may get your pilonidal cyst once again, even after undergoing surgery. This occurs typically because –
- the wounded area gets infected
- or in case, hair starts growing in the same region.
The chances of having a recurrent pilonidal cyst are reported to be 32% to 40%. Such people have got a higher chance of developing chronic wounds.
In order to avoid such problems, you must follow the post-surgical instructions that your doctor had advised you!
You must also ensure that you have removed the hair on that region. Consider –
- doing a wax or a shaving
- or maybe, go for a laser hair treatment to make sure that no hair grows on that portion of your body.
Bottom line:
It is essential to understand that a pilonidal cyst can be really painful and give you some serious trouble in your regular life. It is usually netted to remove it once you have it. Also, you must visit a doctor as early as possible. The doctor will help you to treat your cyst until it turns out to be out of control.
