Pilonidal cyst

If you have rich hair or sweat a lot in the area of ​​the coccyx, then there is a significant chance that at some point in your life you have an unwanted visitor in that area: the pilonidal cyst is a common and painful condition that if not treated properly, can develop into a greater infection.

For this reason it requires immediate medical care from an experienced and specialized doctor in the treatment of this condition.

Dr. Konstantinidis and his Surgical Team apply the most modern and minimally invasive techniques for the treatment of pilonidal cyst, such as the use of medical laser, providing an immediate, painless and definitive solution without the hassle and difficult healing of the past.

What is a Pilonidal Cyst?

The pilonidal cyst is formed under the skin on the natal cleft of the buttocks. It usually does not cause a problem unless it is infected. In this case it becomes inflamed and turns into an abscess that needs to be cleaned.

Who is at risk of developing Pilonidal Cyst?

According to international scientific studies, the pilonidal cyst has a higher incidence:

In men versus women

• At the ages of 15 to 30 years
• In shaggy and overweight people, due to their more intense sweating in the area.
• In people who have systematic sedentary work
• In people who wear tight clothes that press on the area
• In people with a family history of pilonidal cyst

What are the causes of Pilonidal Cyst?

The prevailing scientific view is that pilonidal cysts form when hair and dead cells are trapped under the skin. This can be due to the following reasons:

• excessive pressure
• friction
• frequent injuries in the area

What are the symptoms of Pilonidal Cyst?

When the pilonidal cyst is not infected, then it may not cause any symptoms. In the case of an infection, however, the pilonidal cyst can be a rather painful condition accompanied by several unpleasant symptoms.

Initially, there is swelling at the end of the spine, which causes discomfort when the patient is sitting. Gradually the swelling intensifies and acquires the form of an abscess, with intense and intolerable pain, discharge of purulent fluid and odor.

How is Pilonidal Cyst diagnosed?

The diagnosis of pilonidal lcyst is made during the clinical examination by the doctor. If the inflammation extends to the anus, the possibility of anal fistula may need to be examined with ultrasound.

How is Pilonidal Cyst treated?

Pilonidal cyst often occurs as a chronic problem in otherwise healthy men. Various therapeutic approaches are used to treat it, such as:

• Surgical removal of the bladder, with closed or open method
• Endoscopic Pilonidal Sinus Treatment (EPSit)
• Fistula – Tract Laser Closure (FiLac)

In recent years, endoscopic approaches are gaining ground, as they are not accompanied by the healing difficulties that characterize traditional, surgical methods.

What is Pilonidal Cyst Surgical Removal?

Surgical removal of the pilonidal cyst can be carried out with the closed or open method:

In the closed method, the surgeon removes the cyst and fistulas by closing the wound at the end with sutures. This method is characterized by the highest recurrence rates.

In the open method, the cyst and any fistulas are removed again, but the wound remains open so that it heals on its own. This method is accompanied by a long healing period that can reach up to months and requires daily cleaning of the wound.

Both closed and open surgery, in all its variants (wide resection, marsupialization, flaps) are characterized by postoperative pain, large scars, long healing time, which may require the patient to remain lying face down.

What is Endoscopic Pilonidal Sinus Treatment (EPSit)?

Endoscopic Pilonidal Sinus Treatment (EPSiT) is a minimally invasive method.

This is an operation performed under local anesthesia and lasts a few minutes.

During the operation, the surgeon first maps the cyst and the course of the fistulas and then inserts the a special tool into which a special endoscopic microscope is inserted, from the entrance of a fistula into the skin, through which the cyst is cleaned.

What are the benefits of Endoscopic Pilonidal Sinus Treatment (EPSit)?

Endoscopic Pilonidal Sinus Treatment (EPSiT) is a painless and minimally invasive treatment that leaves no scars and provides a permanent solution to the problem.

In particular, the advantages of this method are the following:

• Bloodless surgery
• Performed under local anesthesia
• Minimal postoperative pain
• The patient returns home the same day
• Rapid healing, no hassle
• Limited risk of recurrence
• Better cosmetic result, as no incisions are made

What is Fistula – Tract Laser Closure (FiLac) of Pilonidal Cyst?

Endoscopic pilonidal cyst laster treatment is a non-invasive method based on the use of therapeutic laser (FiLac).

The operation is performed under local anesthesia, without incision and lasts a few minutes.

Through the entrance of a fistula, which is usually present in every cyst of the coccyx that has inflammation, the surgeon inserts a very thin endoscope, with which the cyst and the fistulas are mapped and it is cleansed internally from hairs and inflammatory tissues.

A fiber laser is then inserted through the same passage, which causes photocoagulation inside the bladder and sublimates it from the inside.

What are the advantages of Fistula – Tract Laser Closure (FiLac) of Pilonidal Cyst?

Fistula – Tract Laser Closure (FiLac) of pilonidal cyst offers immediate relief to patients and the possibility of returning to normal activities in a few hours.

After the operation the patient returns home and is functional at work the same day, without having to take painkillers or other medication, nor make changes to gauze.

Relapses are rare, healing is very fast and the cosmetic outcome is optimal.

Why choose Dr. Konstantinidis?

The Surgical Team of Dr. Konstantinidis has vast experience in the most modern and minimally invasive methods of treating anal disorders, such as pilonidal cyst.

All treatments are performed at Athens Medical Center in top class infrastructure and using state-of-the-art equipment.