Cysts or abscesses that develop between the buttocks near the tailbone are removed during pilonidal cyst surgery. A cyst’s severity and location determine the type of surgery to remove pilonidal cyst. Doctors can operate on a pilonidal cyst in a number of ways. Here are some examples:
Drainage and incision
This procedure drains the pus and fluid from the cyst through a small incision. In mild cases, surgeons use local anesthesia to perform the procedure. The recovery period for this procedure is typically short, with most patients returning to normal activities within a few days after this surgery to remove a pilonidal cyst.
Cysts may sometimes recur, requiring further treatment if not resolved with incision and drainage. Keeping the area clean and using warm compresses may be recommended by your doctor to help prevent a recurrence.
Procedure for Bascom’s cleft lift surgery to remove a pilonidal cyst
In this minimally invasive surgery, doctors remove the cysts and surrounding tissues. The pilonidal cyst surgeons make an incision along the midline of the buttocks, and the skin is lifted to reach the cyst. An incision is then closed with sutures after removing the surrounding tissue.
Complications and recurrence rates are low for this procedure which reduces the pilonidal cyst surgery cost. The buttocks may be uncomfortable or tight after surgery, but this usually resolves within a few weeks. A detailed post-operative instructions sheet will be provided by your doctor, including instructions on how the incision should be cared for and a plan for your follow-up appointments.
Procedure for Limberg flaps
Surgery involves removing the cyst and closing the wound with nearby tissue. After removing the cyst, the surgeon creates a flap using nearby tissue and sews it to cover the wound by making an incision around it. Patients typically need several weeks to recover from this procedure compared to other types of surgery.
Limberg flap surgery to remove pilonidal cysts effectively closes wounds and prevents recurrences. But it may not be appropriate for all patients depending on the cyst’s location. If your incision requires follow-up treatment, your doctor will provide detailed instructions on how to care for it.
Procedure for Z-plasty
After removing the cyst, doctors work on removing the nearby tissue to close the wound in this surgical option. After removing the cyst, the surgeon repositions the skin around the wound by cutting a Z-shaped incision and suturing it in place.
Doctors recommend this surgery to treat larger cysts or cysts with more complex shapes that other surgical procedures can’t easily remove. It is normal for patients to experience some discomfort and swelling following surgery. But it usually goes away within a few weeks. In addition to instructions on how to clean and dry the incision, your doctor recommends when to make follow-up appointments.
Primary closure and excision
After removing the entire cyst during this surgery, doctors work on sutures to close the wound. A general anesthetic may be required when treating larger or more complex cysts. Patients generally require several weeks to fully recover from this procedure compared to other types of surgery.
Doctors prescribe treatments like this for more severe cases or cases where other treatments have been unsuccessful. A detailed description of the incision will be provided by your doctor, along with information about pain management and scheduling follow-up appointments.
Depending on your specific needs, your doctor will determine the best type of surgery to remove pilonidal cysts depending on your case.