Pilonidal cyst & abscess

• Authorization will be arranged by the rooms or hospital staff.

• Fasting:

• No solid food for 6 hours before surgery

• No clear liquids for 2 hours before surgery

• Most chronic medications may be taken, except diabetic medication (to be discussed with your doctor).

• Inform your doctor if you are taking blood-thinning medication.

• Hair removal in the area may be advised before or after surgery

Procedures are performed under local or general anaesthesia, depending on the extent of disease. After drainage or excision, dressings are applied and post-operative care instructions are provided.

Management depends on whether the condition is acute (abscess) or chronic (recurrent cyst).

• An acute pilonidal abscess is treated with incision and drainage.

• Pus is drained, and the cavity is cleaned thoroughly.

• The wound is usually left open to heal from the inside out.

• Chronic or recurrent pilonidal disease may require formal surgical excision of the cyst and sinus tracts.

• In selected cases, wound closure or flap techniques may be performed once infection has resolved.

• Incision and drainage: 30–45 minutes

• Definitive surgical excision: 60–120 minutes, depending on complexity

• Bleeding

• Infection or delayed wound healing

• Recurrence of pilonidal disease

• Wound breakdown or prolonged drainage

• Scarring

• Pain or numbness in the area

• Unintended damage to surrounding structures

• Rarely, severe infection requiring further surgery

• Complications are uncommon. Contact the rooms immediately if there is increasing pain, redness, swelling, discharge, fever, or wound deterioration.

• Simple drainage: usually day surgery

• Surgical excision: 1–3 days, depending on wound size and recovery