What is Pilonidal Disease?
Pilonidal disease is an infection of the skin in the region of the 'buttock crease'. It creates a cavity (cyst) below the skin surface that connects to the skin surface with one or more openings or tracts.
What causes Pilonidal Disease?
The condition results from a reaction to hairs embedded in the skin, commonly occurring in the cleft between the buttocks.
What are the symptoms?
Symptoms vary from a small dimple to a large painful mass. With infection, the area becomes red, tender, and the drainage will have a foul odor.
There are two patterns of this disease:
- A Sudden Flare-up resulting in tract formation that subsequently lays silent, and never bothers you again.
- Recurrent episodes of swelling, pain, and drainage. As time goes on, the infections get more severe, and the cavity (cyst) grows.
How is Pilonidal Disease treated?
- A Sudden Flare-up is managed with an incision to release the infection, and reduce the pain. This procedure usually can be performed in your doctor’s office with local anesthesia.
- Recurrent Disease is treated with outpatient surgery. It is performed using a spinal anesthetic. Surgery has a 90% success rate.
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