Medstar

A Detailed Guide for Effective Treatment of Pilonidal Sinus

Pilonidal sinus actually refers to an indentation in the skin with a small tunnel or hole, often in either side of the spine at the base. It may cause chronic pain, infection and discomfort. For symptomatic relief over an extended period, advanced treatments for pilonidal sinus are provided by experienced surgeons and medical staff at Medstar.

What is Pilonidal Sinus?

Pilonidal sinus is a hereditary disorder where the sacral region, especially at the back, has a small tunnel or hole which allows hair, amongst other debris to pile up and so is most likely to cause an infection. The symptoms of pilonidal sinus are:

Chronic pain or aching in the lower back.
Redness and swelling in the affected region.
Presence of pus or discharge from the sinus.
Odour or smell from the affected region.

Treatment of pilonidal sinus:

Our treatments for pilonidal sinus include conservative management, incision with drainage, excision, and laser treatment. These treatments include using antibiotics to control the symptoms, pain medication, a surgical procedure where an incision is made for the infection to drain and heal, and finally the removal of the pilonidal sinus itself through surgery or laser treatment, therefore a minimally invasive method to seal the sinus and promote healing.

Healing Process

All patients treated claimed to have experienced some amount of pain and swelling post treatment. To heal the wound and avoid more complications, the following is done;

Healthy diet to promote wound healing
Avoid heavy lifting or straining
Pain medication according to prescription .
Visitation to the doctor's for follow up.
Good wound care and hygiene

FAQ

Does Insurance cover Pilonidal Sinus Infection Treatment?

Yes, all Pilonidal Sinus infection surgeries or treatments are covered under the insurance plan. Consult our office to get detailed information on insurance covers for pilonidal sinus infection treatment and further recommendations. At MEDSTAR, you can also choose freely from several result-oriented and cost-effective treatment options as per your requirements.

Are there any side effects of Pilonidal Sinus Infection surgery?

Laser treatment option for treating pilonidal sinus infection ensures no risk of infection, hemorrhage, or other common side effects associated with conventional surgical procedures like a recurrence of sinus or swelling.

Other surgical options might have complications due to unhygienic conditions, straining activities, missing post-operative appointments, and medical conditions like diabetes.

Does Pilonidal Sinus surgery require anesthesia?

Yes, both normal and laser surgery may require local, regional, or general anesthesia according to the severity and spread of the infection. The surgeon decides the type of anesthesia after confirming with the patient. Most of the procedures are performed under local anesthesia. In the case of general anesthesia, the patient is advised to strictly follow pre-operative instructions.

Is untreated pilonidal sinus dangerous?

It is not dangerous if the pilonidal sinus is in a dormant state without any signs and symptoms of infections. Regular shaving of hair and maintaining good hygiene is enough for it.
When a pilonidal sinus becomes infected resulting in a pilonidal cyst or pilonidal abscess, it needs to be treated medically without any delay.
If the infected pilonidal sinus is left untreated, it can result in severe painful pus discharging, infection in the buttocks, high-grade fever, and infection might spread in the whole body. Along with these symptoms, the pain will start affecting normal activities like sitting, standing, or driving.

Can a pilonidal sinus go away?

Yes, pilonidal sinus can also affect women. A pilonidal sinus infection occurs due to the entrapment of thick body hair, especially coarse and curly ones. Body hair acts as a foreign particle triggering the reaction of the body resulting in the formation of a pilonidal cyst or pilonidal abscess.

What are the signs of pilonidal sinus infection?

Infected pilonidal sinus can show the following symptoms:

Pain, redness and swelling in the tailbone area
Foul-smelling discharge
Fever
Lump formation in the tailbone area
Pain while doing normal daily activities like standing, sitting, or walking

Consult the doctor immediately if you notice these symptoms for the treatment before the progression of infection.

When can I resume my daily activist after pilonidal sinus?

The patient can start walking the same day. The patient will probably need time off work, although this depends on how you feel and the type of work you do.

After laser surgery, the patient can join work from the 3rd day. In cases of flap surgery or have stitches, the patient can join the office after 2 weeks.

In any case, strenuous work should be avoided for the first 2 to 4 weeks.