How to Treat a Pilonidal Sinus
Pilonidal sinus is a cyst that contains hair just below the coccyx. It is generally believed to result from hair and cellular disease gaining entry into the skin. The pilonidal sinus is created by an inflammatory reaction to the hair and subsequent edema. Risk factors for pilonidal sinuses include hirsuteness, obesity and an preoccupation with sitting. The following steps will show how to treat pilonidal sinus.
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Instructions
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Inject the pilonidal sinus with phenol. A solution of 80 percent phenol is left in the sinus for one minute. It is then expressed out and the sinus is curetted. This procedure can be repeated as many as three times.
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Perform an incision and drainage if the pilonidal sinus is abscessed. A local anesthetic is injected and an incision is made lateral to the midline. Extend the incision to the subcutaneous layer, remove the debris and hair, and pack the wound.
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Arrange a follow-up visit with a surgeon in one week. Practice strict hygiene on the affected area and consider shaving the hair around the abscess to prevent recurrence.
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Excise chronic pilonidal sinuses surgically. The lateral openings and midline pits are excised down to the fascia. The removal of surrounding skin should be less than 0.5 cm.
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Consider other surgical options to treat pilonidal sinuses. Diathermy has a cure rate equal to surgical excision in some studies. Other techniques include marsupialization, z-plasty, and Limberg, rhomboid and rotational flaps.
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