Pilonidal cyst

Information

A pilonidal cyst (also known as a pilonidal sinus or abscess) is an inflammatory condition that affects the area between the buttocks, usually near the coccyx and the anus. It is characterised by the formation of a small opening or cavity in the skin in which hair, skin cells and other debris accumulate.

A pilonidal sinus can be completely asymptomatic and cause no discomfort at all. When inflammation does occur, however, it typically presents as pain, swelling, redness and discharge in the affected area, and can make it difficult to sit or carry out everyday activities.

The exact cause of a pilonidal sinus is not fully understood, but it is thought to develop when hairs are pushed into the skin and trigger an inflammatory response. Risk factors include prolonged sitting, a high density of body hair, and genetic predisposition, among others.

Treatment

Treatment depends on the individual case but most commonly involves one or more of the following:

• Antibiotics – where inflammation or infection is present, antibiotics may be prescribed to clear the infection.
• Surgical procedure – pit picking, abscess drainage, removal of the pilonidal tract, or pilonidal sinus surgery.
• Prevention – keeping the area between the buttocks clean and dry, regular hygiene and avoiding prolonged sitting can all help reduce the risk of the condition developing or recurring.

Simple pilonidal cysts

Pit picking

For simple pilonidal sinuses, we most commonly use a technique called pit picking at INTER MEDICO. This is a minimally invasive procedure that targets the pilonidal tract without the need for extensive surgery. It is carried out under local anaesthesia, so the client remains conscious and experiences minimal pain or discomfort during the procedure.

The area around the sinus is first numbed with a local anaesthetic. The surgeon then excises the pit openings and cleans the base of the cyst. The wound is left open to allow drainage of fluid, pus and other material. To reduce the risk of recurrence, the wound may be treated with laser at the end of the procedure. Recovery typically takes around one week, during which the wound should be checked regularly and kept clean.

Pit picking is a popular choice because it takes less time than traditional surgical methods and generally involves a faster recovery.
 

More complex pilonidal cysts

Where a sinus is large or complicated, surgical removal of the cyst or abscess is usually the appropriate course of action. The procedure is performed under general anaesthesia. The surgeon carefully removes the cyst together with any accumulated debris and cleans the surrounding tissue to reduce the risk of recurrence.

We provide care beyond the scope of public health insurance. The fee for a single examination including a pre-procedure consultation is CZK 2,500. Full price list available here.