Excision of Pilonidal Sinus
Excision of Pilonidal Sinus is done to remove the cyst which is filled with the pus, hairs, dirt, and debris may lead to severe pain.
Some facts about Excision of Pilonidal Sinus:
- Pilonidal sinus or cyst is a small hole or channel in the skin at the top of the buttocks which is filled with the pus, hairs, dirt, and debris and may lead to severe pain and foul smelling discharge.
- Foul smell discharge, Blood from the opening of the skin, Marks just above the crack of the buttocks and Pain while sitting or having a little push due to cloths are Pilonidal Sinus Symptoms.
Preparation for Excision of Pilonidal Sinus:
- You need to stop taking medications that may thin your blood, such as ibuprofen (Advil) or aspirin a few weeks before your surgery.
- You should stop smoking temporarily or permanently if you’re ready to quit as smoking can make it harder for your body to heal after surgery.
- You need to wait for any existing flu, fever, or cold to break.
- Most of your diet should be replaced with liquids and laxatives should be taken to empty your bowels.
- You may also need to only drink water or other clear liquids, such as broth or juice in the 24 hours before your surgery.
- Do not eat or drink anything for up to 12 before the surgery.
- Any medications that your surgeon gives you should be taken right before surgery.
- A dye such as methylene blue may be injected for better identification in complicated sinuses with several tracts present.
- This should be done several days before the surgery to avoid excessive staining of the operative area, which may occur if the injection is done at the time of operation.
Procedure for Excision of Pilonidal Sinus:
- Treatment for an infected pilonidal sinus will depend on your symptoms, the size of the sinus and whether it's your first sinus or it keeps coming back.
- Marsupialization is a more limited procedure of exteriorization which is effective when the sinus tract is well defined.
- A small hole is made in the abscess to drain the pus under general anaesthetic or local anaesthetic, depending on the size of the abscess.
- The sinus is cut out and some surrounding skin will be removed when the surgery is done for a large or repeatedly infected sinus.
- The wound will be left open to heal naturally.
- The procedure is done under general anaesthetic and there is lowest risk of sinus coming back.
- The sinus is removed and an oval-shaped flap of skin cut out on either side of it with flattening of the groove between the buttocks.
- The two sides will be stitched together after excision.
- The procedure is done under general anaesthetic and the stitches will be removed about 10 days after the operation.
- There is a quicker recovery time than wide excision and open healing.
- The wound may need to be opened and dressings changed regularly because of higher risk of infection.
- Endoscopic ablation for a pilonidal sinus is done by using an endoscope.
- The sinus will be cleaned with a special solution after removing the hair and infected tissue.
