Pilonidal
sinus disease is a disorder that occurs mostly in men between the ages
of 15 to 30. The problem arises when the sex hormones affect the pilosebaceous
gland and change the healthy growth of hair. This is generally found in
the coccyx area but also affects the armpits,navel and the penis.
This cyst occurs in the cleavage of the buttocks and cause uneasiness
to the person.The causes for this pilonidal disease could be due to inactive
and more of deskbound job or lifestyle. An occurrence in the family regularly
also is a reason that means it could be hereditary.
Excess weight and obesity can also cause pilonidal cyst. Last but not
the least, poor hygiene and trauma can cause these cysts.
The patient experiences discomfort and swelling initially. Later sever
pain on examination denotes acute pilonidal cysts whereas a chronic one
can take upto two years to be detected. By that time, there may be single
or multiple sinuses with tuft of hair. Local edema, inflammation, and
swelling may be present covering up the sinus.
When the sinus is not inflamed or when it is just like a dimple it does
not need any treatment medically. On the other hand, if the sinus is infected
and has abscess, an incision helps to drain the fluid. It is done with
the help of local anesthesia in the doctor’s chamber itself.
The pus, the fluid, and the other remains are drained out, and then the
wound is packed and allowed to heal. Unless the patient has skin infections
antibiotics are not necessary. Dressings may be necessary regularly depending
on the drainage. The wound heals on its own provide the patient takes
proper care and follows hygienic routine.
If the cysts keep reoccurring then the patient may have to opt for surgical
methods to get rid of it. The surgeon can discuss the various types of
surgery to treat the complicated cyst.
This surgery involves general anesthesia and the surgeon has to operate
on the wound, drain the pus and other debris and remove the sinus and
the infected tissue. The doctor decides whether to stitch up the wound
or leave it to drain depending on the condition of the sinus cyst. In
some cases, a tube is inserted which drains the fluid. The stitches and
the tubes are removed after two days.
Although the patient leaves the hospital, the day after the surgery the
wound takes a long time and the patient is fully recovered by eight weeks
time. Sitting and driving need to be avoided after the surgery but the
patient can resort to work in two to three weeks time. Regular shaving
in the cleavage area is necessary to avoid repetitive sinus cysts.
Though surgery is the solution to this irritating problem, the patient
can weigh the pros and cons of the surgery and the future prospects of
its reoccurrence before deciding for the operation. With good hygiene,
the patient can avert these cysts and keep it at bay.
