Most Effective and Painless Laser-Assisted Treatment for Pilonidal Sinus

Facts about pilonidal sinus

• When the pilonidal sinus is left untreated, it may lead to multiple cysts and tracts of the sinus.
• In severe and rare cases, the chances of developing skin cancer in the cyst are higher.
• People with excessive, coarse body hair and who sweat a lot are more likely to develop a pilonidal sinus.
• Males are more likely to develop a pilonidal sinus.
• Deep natal cleft makes a person more prone to the pilonidal cyst.

What is the best treatment for pilonidal sinus?

Although symptoms of pilonidal sinus can be managed with home remedies or non-surgical treatments, the results do not go a long way. Medical professionals consider surgery as the best and the most effective treatment for pilonidal sinus. At Pristyn Care, proctologists leverage advanced laser technology to treat pilonidal sinus. The non-invasive surgery is performed as a daycare procedure, and there is no implication of infections or recurrence. 

How to treat pilonidal cyst without surgery?

Although surgical treatment is the best way to drain the abscess formed in the pilonidal sinus, there are non-surgical regimens to treat pilonidal sinus too. Shaving the sacral area and removing the embedded hair in the sinus or cyst is one of the best non-surgical methods to cure pilonidal sinus. Undergoing laser hair removal techniques can also prevent the cyst from any potential irritations. 

Once the symptoms are managed, you need to follow a few precautions to prevent its recurrence. Apply hot compress such as towel dipped in hot water on the cyst. Wear loose-fit clothes that do not irritate the skin. 

What to expect from pilonidal sinus laser surgery?

Laser surgery for pilonidal sinus is usually done on an outpatient basis, where the patient is put under the influence of anesthesia. The healthcare provider numbs the surgical area with anesthesia and then makes a tiny incision to drain the pus and debris from the cyst. The surgical area might feel sore after the procedure and as such, it is always beneficial to have someone who can accompany you drive back home. There are no restricted tips to be followed after the surgery. The patient will be provided with antibiotics and recommended a diet chart to be followed until complete recovery, which happens in 4-5 days. 

How long does it take to recover after laser surgery for pilonidal sinus?

Patients hardly report any complications after the surgery for pilonidal sinus. Laser surgery for pilonidal sinus is comparatively a much safer treatment process and as such the patient's recovery time also cuts short. However, the recovery time of each case varies from the other depending on factors like how severe the condition of the pilonidal cyst was or if there is any other health condition that could complicate the recovery process.

Most patients who undergo laser surgery can resume normal activities within a week's time. During the recovery process, the patient should refrain from consuming any mediation which is not prescribed by the doctor, indulging any strenuous physical activities, or sitting for long hours. 

What happens if the pilonidal sinus is not treated on time?

Like any other anorectal disease, leaving pilonidal sinus untreated can cause further complications. If the pilonidal sinus is not provided with the necessary treatment, it can create recurrent cysts. Untreated pilonidal sinus can cause swollen pockets of infection and abscesses. In many cases, if the pilonidal sinus is not treated on time, the hair follicles accumulate dirt which further has the potential to form anal infections.