I've had a pilonidal cyst for quite a few years now. It's in my sacral region and it has developed two areas for drainage (one closed up not too long ago). I already went to a few specialists and it's been confirmed that I will need surgery, however, I won't be able to get this surgery for another few months. I'm really nervous about the surgery because I have no idea what the procedure is, how big the scar will be, how painful it may be, how much rest I will need afterward, etc. I've looked online but I didn't find too much information. Wikipedia said that all the skin in the area will be cut down to the coccyx and removed. This REALLY scared me! I won't be able to see the specialist for a while and I hate being nervous about this... so is there anyone here who can give me some answers to the questions I asked above? Any insight would be awesome. The cyst itself is not that severe, but it has been around for a while and has probably made a comfortable home on my tush, so to speak.
2006-12-13 16:50:50 · 6 answers · asked by Shane C 2 in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ Skin Conditions
I had surgery for a pilonidal cyst maybe 10 years ago. My doctor who first diagnosed it would give me antibiotics every time it got infected but didn't want to do surgery...One time it got so infected it abcessed, which was excruciating. There was actual bruising you could see from the pressure in me. I could hardly walk for a week.
My pilonidal cyst was on my tailbone; it sounds like it was in the same spot - tailbone/top of (sorry to be indelicate) butt crack. Just what every girl in her early 20s wants - especially because all the research I had done said it was a disease common in older, hairy white males.
Still my doctor didn't want to do surgery. Then I moved and went to a new doctor who said, "this is only going to keep getting infected unless we do surgery." So he booked me a surgery for the next week and I went in. It was a quickie outpatient thing. I went into the surgery room, and was gowned up, and had to lie face down on the operating table. (In retrospect this is funny now, but at the time it wasn't at all). The nurse came in and prepped me, which involved (I kid you not) taping my butt cheeks open to allow the surgeon access to the "area." HUGE pieces of tape were attached and secured to the table on both sides. It was probably one of the most humiliating moments of my life. Then she prepped me shaving the area and doing all the iodine and cleaning stuff/disinfection. The surgeon came in and gave a few shots of novocaine (I think). After 2-3 minutes he asked if I could feel anything, and whisk...done. It was SO fast. Maybe 2 minutes tops if I remember. He left the incision open (for drainage) and told me to take sitz baths. And then I was packed with something that was like a maxi pad and other padding that was from mid heinie to low back to absorb any fluid.
The scar I have is maybe 1.5 inches long and has faded with time so it's a thin, light pinkish/white line. You can't see it.
Everything leading up to it was SO MUCH WORSE than the actual surgery and the recovery was very quick. I was a bit sore for 2-4 days if I remember right, and then I was fine. I have had no problems with it since.
So from my experience, the worst part of the cyst was the abcess and pain of it leading up to the surgery maybe 2 years later. Worst part of the surgery? Being taped to a table in a compromising position. With the passing of time though, it has become funny.
2006-12-13 17:10:19 · answer #1 · answered by you_likea_the_sauce 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I have done a great deal of research into the subject myself as well, as I will be having the surgery in about 48 hours. As a medical student (and as someone who knows others who have had the surgery), I can probably give a little more insight into it than what the internet has to offer, but possibly not much more.
Well, first of all, yes, they will be cutting almost all the way down to the coccyx. I don't know if they really described what was going on down there, but basically you have two layers of tissue, and there is a gap trapped between the two. The surgeon will basically cut the top layer out, and allow the skin to grow back on its own. Unfortunately, I can't comment on the size of the scar, because both of the people that I know who have had the surgery are females and, as such, didn't allow me to see the scar. They did say that the pain is fairly minimal. Any time you get a great deal of tissue removed, there will be quite a bit of pain, but it was compared to having wisdom teeth pulled (if you have had that done). Also, the recovery time is fairly quick (like a couple of days), though you will probably need soft seats for the month or so after the surgery.
2006-12-13 16:59:58 · answer #2 · answered by Peeps 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have tons of experience with pilonidal cysts, not because I've had them, but because I've had done the surgeries. No, you should not worry about that surgery at all, you are going to be just fine. They are going to anesthetize the area and you should not feel any pain at all. Don't be scared, I'm sure the doctors know what they are doing since they diagnosed you right away. Good luck!
2016-03-29 06:40:26 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have worked in surgery for 6 years, and have done many pilonidal cyst surgeries.
The incision depends on how large your cyst is, however, you shouldn't be worried about a huge incision. Maybe 2-3 inches at most.
Your surgeon will simply cut it open, drain the pus and fluid from the cyst, clean it out really well, and likely leave it open to heal.
They most likely not stitch it completely closed to make sure it heals clean, and you do not get another abcess.
Good luck!!
2006-12-13 16:57:24 · answer #4 · answered by wilbedoc2003 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Get Ovarian Cyst Miracle!
2016-08-01 10:51:54 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
http://www.discoverthefacts.com/surgery/pilonidal-cyst-surgery-facts.php
see if this helps you out
2006-12-13 16:59:42 · answer #6 · answered by Kathy 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋