Get help for medical surgeries at our partner hospitals on easy EMI's
Information provided will be used to contact you only for the enquiry selected.
Agree toTerms and ConditionsFind the best hospitals for Pilonidal Sinus Surgery on the Bajaj Finserv Health platform.
Information provided will be used to contact you only for the enquiry selected.
Agree toTerms and ConditionsPilonidal sinus surgery is a surgical procedure performed to remove a pilonidal sinus, a small cyst or abscess that occurs in the cleft at the top of the buttocks. This sinus contains hair and skin debris. The sinus may become infected and cause severe pain; thus, surgery becomes necessary. This procedure is generally performed under general anesthesia. There are various surgical methods available, each with their advantages and disadvantages. The choice of procedure often depends on the surgeon's expertise, the sinus' characteristics, and the patient's preference. The goal is to remove the sinus and cause minimal inconvenience to the patient during recovery.
The most traditional method of pilonidal sinus surgery is excision and primary closure. The surgeon cuts out the sinus and any surrounding tissue that may be infected. Then, the wound is stitched closed. This method is straightforward and allows for faster healing times, but it has a high rate of recurrence because the deep wound can sometimes hide small sinuses that can later become infected.
An alternative method involves the surgeon cutting out the sinus but leaving the wound open. This method, known as healing by secondary intention, allows for the wound to gradually heal from the inside out. The process is significantly slower, often taking several weeks or even months, but it significantly reduces the risk of recurrence.
The cleft lift procedure is a more modern approach to pilonidal sinus surgery. It is less invasive and involves making a single, off-midline incision to remove the sinus. The remaining tissue is then rearranged to flatten the cleft of the buttocks, reducing the risk of future sinus formation. This procedure has a high success rate and a low risk of recurrence, but it may result in significant changes to the shape of the buttocks.
Laser treatment for pilonidal sinus is a minimal invasive procedure which uses laser energy to remove the sinus without any incision. This method involves less pain and faster recovery. However, success largely depends on the expertise of the surgeon and may not be suitable for complex or recurrent cases.
If the pilonidal sinus keeps coming back, then surgery may be required to remove it permanently. This is especially true if the recurrent episodes are causing significant pain, limiting daily activities, or causing absences from work or school.
If the pilonidal sinus becomes severely infected, surgical intervention may be necessary. Signs of severe infection can include fever, intense pain, redness and swelling around the sinus.
If nonsurgical treatments, such as antibiotics or local incisions and drainage, have failed to resolve the issue, then surgery may be the next step. Surgery can remove the entire sinus, preventing further issues.
Undergo a full medical evaluation to make sure you are healthy enough for surgery. This can include blood tests, a physical examination, and a review of your medical history.
Discuss with your doctor any medications you are currently taking. You may need to stop taking certain medications, such as blood thinners, a few weeks before surgery.
You will likely need to fast (not eat or drink anything) for a certain period before your surgery. Your doctor will instruct you as per your individual case.
Since you will be under anesthesia, you will need someone to drive you home after the surgery. Make sure to arrange this ahead of time.
Make arrangements for your recovery period. This can include taking time off from work or school, arranging for help around the house, and preparing a comfortable place to rest and recover.
Before pilonidal sinus surgery, your surgeon will thoroughly exam the patient to confirm the diagnosis. They may prescribe imaging tests like ultrasonography or MRI to get a clear picture of the sinus and its surrounding tissues.
Your medical history is checked, and you will be asked about any medications or supplements you’re currently taking. Some drugs, such as aspirin and other blood thinners, may need to be stopped preoperatively to reduce the risk of excessive bleeding.
You will be given instructions to follow before the surgery. These may include fasting for a certain number of hours before the operation. Follow these instructions carefully to avoid complications during the procedure.
Someone must accompany you home after the surgery because the sedation or anesthesia used during the procedure may make you unable to travel safely by yourself.
The surgery lasts for about 45 minutes to an hour. You will be given either local or general anesthesia, depending on the complexity of the sinus and your overall health.
Once the anesthesia has come into effect, the surgeon will make an incision over the sinus to expose the infected area. The sinus and any infected tissue will be removed. In some cases, the surgeon may need to make additional incisions to ensure all the infected tissue is removed.
If the sinus is deep or there are multiple sinuses, a technique called marsupialization may be used. This involves stitching the edges of the wound to the underlying tissue to create a shallow pouch that will heal from the inside out.
In some cases, the surgeon may decide to leave the wound open and pack it with a dressing. This allows wound healing from the bottom up and can reduce the risk of the sinus recurring.
The wound will then be covered with a sterile dressing. If the wound was left open, you will be shown how to change the dressing and care for the wound at home.
This technique is commonly used for smaller sinuses. The surgeon makes an incision over the sinus, drains it, and removes any hair follicles. The wound is either left open or packed with dressing.
This procedure involves cutting open the sinus, removing the debris, and stitching the edges of the wound to the skin on either side. This creates a pouch or 'marsupial' that gradually heals over several weeks.
A more modern and less invasive technique, this procedure involves creating a small flap of skin, which is used to remove the sinus and seal the wound. It has a faster recovery time and a lower chance of the sinus returning.
In this procedure, the surgeon makes an off-center cut to remove the sinus. The skin is then stitched together in such a way that it prevents the formation of new sinus.
Depending on the type of surgery, recovery time can be from a few weeks to a few months. During this time, patients are advised to keep the area clean and avoid activities that may put pressure on the wound.
Pain after surgery is common and can be managed through prescribed painkillers. Applying a warm compress can help improve patient comfort.
Proper wound care is crucial to prevent infection. This includes changing dressings as instructed, keeping the area clean, and avoiding activities that may cause strain or sweat in the area.
Regular post-procedure visits are essential to ensure the wound is healing correctly and to address any complications early.
Like all surgeries, there's a risk of infection. This can be minimized by maintaining good hygiene and proper wound care.
There's a chance that the sinus may return, particularly if hair or debris gets trapped in the wound during the healing process. Regular follow-up visits can help detect and address this early.
In some cases, the wound may take longer than expected to heal. This is more common with open wound procedures.
Scarring is a common consequence of surgery. However, it can be reduced by following the surgeon's post-operative care instructions.