Pilonidal Cyst Surgery Recovery — Here’s What to Expect
If you have found out that you must have surgery to treat a pilonidal cyst, you are probably wondering what you should expect in terms of recovery. This concern may cause you extra stress and worry in the time leading up to your procedure.
Knowing what to expect can relieve some of your pre-surgery anxiety. I want you to go into your procedure feeling informed and prepared for what is to come, so I have put together this guide to pilonidal cyst surgery recovery.
Surgical Closure Options
At the end of a cyst excision, surgeons can leave the wound open or close it with stitches. Your recovery will differ depending on which treatment you receive. Learn more about these options in the video below on pilonidal recovery:
Closed Wounds
Often, the surgeon will stitch or suture the wound closed. Closing the surgical site can make healing go fairly quickly, so this is an appealing method. Most patients have significantly improved in two weeks.
The drawback is that up to one-quarter of people whose procedures are completed this way go on to develop an infection at their pilonidal cyst site.
Open Wounds
If the wound is left open, it can take longer to heal. Until it is healed, you will need to pack the wound. This process can take eight weeks or even several months.
Although healing time is increased with this approach, it can be advantageous for some patients. Healing begins at the point of excision and works its way outward to the skin. This allows for thorough healing.
With an open incision site, the risk of post-surgical infection is lowered to between 5 and 15 percent. Therefore, if your cyst is infected before surgery, the doctor may opt for this approach.
At-Home Recovery Steps
In general, patients who have pilonidal cyst surgery can return to regular activities within two to four weeks of the procedure. In fact, you should start to feel better within just one week. However, your personal recovery progress will depend partially on how well you take care of yourself after the surgery.
- If you have a closed wound, change the dressing that covers it every few days. You must take care to keep the surgical site dry. Pat it dry after a shower.
- Open wounds require that you change the gauze packing and clean the site multiple times each day.
- Drink plenty of water. You may need to take a fiber supplement to help avoid constipation.
- Walk daily for light exercise, but rest when you are tired.
- Sit on soft or cushioned surfaces, such as a donut ring. Avoid hard chairs, especially for long stretches.
- The doctor may encourage you to shave around the site of your cyst. This reduces the chances of a hair reaggravating the area.
You must visit your doctor for a follow-up check after your surgery. If you have stitches, the doctor will remove them a few weeks after surgery. Open wounds require more follow-up appointments over a longer span of time.
Signs of a Problem
Pilonidal cyst surgery recovery usually goes smoothly, but sometimes the surgical site develops an infection. If the area is red, oozing or swollen, consult your doctor. Other signs of infection are a fever and a bad odor that comes from the wound.
You should also seek medical treatment if you have pain that is not relieved by taking your pain medication. Consult your doctor if your stitches come loose or fall out.
Pilonidal cyst surgery recovery varies based on the patient and the procedure. Leave a comment or contact us if you have further questions.
- Closed wounds heal faster than open ones.
- Expect recovery to take a few weeks to several months.
- Keep the site clean and dry.
Consult your doctor if anything about your recovery seems amiss.
