A pilonidal cyst also known as a pilonidal sinus is an unnatural development of skin. This usually occurs at the tailbone or near the tailbone. Drainage of blood, fever, bad-smelling pus (fluids), redness, and pain are some of the most common symptoms of pilonidal cysts. Moreover, pilonidal cyst occurs commonly in people who sit for long hours, sweat excessively, or have excessive hair at their tailbone. Surprisingly, most people have the habit of leaving pilonidal cysts without treatment. So, when this happens, it can lead to sinus cavities and abscesses or can even cause skin cancer. Therefore, you should avoid leaving the pilonidal cyst alone as this can cause severe complications in the future. However, most people are concerned about the pilonidal cyst removal surgery cost.
Is pilonidal cyst removal surgery expensive?
Yes, pilonidal cyst removal surgery is expensive but it is worth it. And also the cost of pilonidal cyst removal surgery might be different for different regions. For example, the average cost of pilonidal cyst removal surgery in the US ranges between $3,647 to $9,286.
Frequently asked question
Following are some of the most frequently asked questions:
Is pilonidal cyst removal surgery painful?
Pilonidal cyst removal surgery usually involves opening the wound and cleaning the unwanted substances from the cyst. Later, pack the wound with gauze. Therefore, it can be quite painful for the first couple of days. So, to ease your pain you can ask your surgeon to recommend a pain reliever.
Is pilonidal cyst removal surgery risky?
Pilonidal cyst removal surgery can be risky as it involves; keeping the wound open and regularly packing until it heals. The healing process may take a couple of weeks or even months. And if the wound gets sutured, the wound will break open leading to blood flow or infected material. In this case, you may need to undergo further surgical procedures. To avoid this situation, make sure you follow the aftercare process very well.
Can we sit or walk after pilonidal cyst removal surgery?
Yes, you can sit and walk after pilonidal cyst removal surgery but not as much as you do before the surgery. Some of the things you need to avoid after a pilonidal surgical procedure are as follows:
- Do not sit for long hours on hard surfaces while you are in your healing phase.
- Do not walk for long hours right after the surgery.
However, you can increase your walk hours bit by bit every day. This will help in preventing constipation and pneumonia. Therefore, you can resume your daily work after resting for a couple of days.
Ways to prevent pilonidal cyst
The following are some of the ways to prevent pilonidal cysts:
- Shave your buttock regularly if you have excessive hair around it.
- Avoid wearing tight-fitting dresses.
- Avoid sitting for long hours.
- Control your body weight. If needed, try losing some weight.
- Do not carry heavy objects alone.
Following these few easy steps can help in preventing pilonidal cysts.
Diagnosis of pilonidal cyst
Your doctor will perform a full physical examination. During this examination, they will examine the area around your buttocks to search for any signs of a pilonidal cyst. And, if you have one, they will check the types of pilonidal cysts you have.
Also, your doctor might ask you a few questions regarding your pilonidal cysts such as:
- Does the cyst drain any fluid?
- Does the cyst change in appearance?
Moreover, the doctor might ask you to take a few tests such as an MRI or CT scan. This will help in identifying whether you have any sinus cavities beneath your skin. However, this test might not be necessary in your case as this happens only in rare cases.
How does pilonidal cyst surgery work?
Generally, pilonidal cyst surgery is conducted in an in-office procedure means, you can go home the same day of the surgery. This will save you some money as you don’t need to stay overnight at the hospital.
In a pilonidal cyst surgical procedure, the surgeon will give you local anesthesia to numb the affected area. As a result, you will no longer feel pain or discomfort during the procedure. The surgeon then makes a small cut on your cyst by using a surgical tool. This allows unwanted substances such as fluids, pus, and others to drain out from the cysts completely. After this, the surgeon can either leave the wound open and pack it with sterile gauze or stitch the wound.
Moreover, there is also a chance that your pilonidal cysts can come back even after you drain the cysts. If this happens, you might need to undergo an extensive pilonidal cyst surgical procedure.
Does recovery from a pilonidal cyst surgery take long?
The recovery period from a pilonidal cyst surgery may depend on the type of procedure you undergo. It will also depend on whether you receive stitches or not.
Generally, it takes about 1 to 3 months to recover completely. Most patients resume their daily work within a month of the surgery. However, you might still need follow-up appointments with your doctor for about 6 weeks after the surgery.
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