A pilonidal cyst is a swollen, oval-shaped mass near the tailbone or upper part of the buttocks. It is usually caused by ingrown hair or debris which gets caught in the tissue of the skin. The cyst can become infected in some instances, resulting in a painful abscess that affects daily activities. The pilonidal cyst can be drained through a small incision or surgically removed. Top Summerlin general surgeon Dr. Chanu Dasari is an expert in pilonidal cyst removal. He is adept in various surgical procedures of pilonidal cysts, providing comprehensive care and relief for his patients.

At first, you may not have any noticeable symptoms other than a small, dimple-like concavity on the surface of your skin. When it becomes infected, a pilonidal cyst will develop into a painful abscess that can vary in size and shape. It can look like a small dimple, or cover a large area near the tailbone.

Common signs and symptoms of pilonidal cysts include:

• Swelling and redness near the tailbone
• Tenderness to the touch
• Pain when sitting or lying down
• Hair protruding from cyst
• Pus oozing from an opening in the skin.
• A foul smell in the area
• Low-grade fever
• Formation of pinpoint sinus tract, or small openings in the skin

You’ll want to seek help from a specialist for pilonidal cyst removal right away if you notice any of the above symptoms in order to avoid long term complications. While pilonidal cysts are common, benign growths, they are famous for recurrence. In order to prevent it from coming back, it must be thoroughly drained, lanced, or surgically removed. You’ll want to visit a Summerlin pilonidal cyst removal specialist as soon as you can when it develops into a painful and debilitating abscess.

A pilonidal cyst should be treated promptly as soon as it is diagnosed by a specialist. Most of the major problems that occur with pilonidal cysts can be avoided at early stages with fast analysis, efficient diagnosis, and top surgical treatment.

Surgical treatment options include:

Incision and drainage – Injecting a local anesthetic into the surgical spot, our surgeon makes a small diamond-shaped cut in the patient’s lower back to drain out the fluid, dirt, and hair follicles. The would is left open and packed with gauze. The healing period usually takes 3 weeks, and regular dressing is needed until the wound is healed completely.

Advantages

• Infected cyst drained

Disadvantages

• The dressing can be painful
• The healing process can be slower
• Sometimes does not recover completely

Flap Surgery – Flap surgery is an advanced treatment option that is known to be the most successful in removing the pilonidal cyst. Dr. Dasari is also able to transfer healthy tissue to cover the site of the surgical excision. This surgical treatment reduces pilonidal cyst recurrence and has a higher rate of wound closure than most treatment options. Large sutures are a necessity and are to remain in place for several weeks. They are typically removed in the Henderson clinic with minimal discomfort.

Laser Surgery – A diode laser of 1470nm is utilized during this treatment option. The treatment comprises of an excision of the cyst area, and can also treat the inferior and superior extensions. Laser surgery involves a 1cm incision instead of a larger cut or flap. This treatment process works best on medium-sized cysts only. Bigger cysts can still risk a recurrence, and smaller cysts may suffer from skin damage.

Advantages

• Quick surgery