.jpg "colon Rectum Anatomy Image2 (Dr. Rasoul Azizi , MD) Colorectal Surgery")
.jpg "Pilonidal Dimple ( Pilonidal Diseases )")
Pilonidal Disease
Copyright 2009-2014 Saviz Inc. All rights reserved.
What is pilonidal disease and what causes it?
Pilonidal disease is a chronic infection of the skin in the region of the buttock crease.The condition results from a reaction to hairs embeded in the skin,commonly occurring in the cleft between the buttocks.The disease is more common in men than women and frequently occurs between puberry and age40.It is also common in obeses people and those with thick, stiff body hair.
How is pilonidal disease treated?
The treatment depends on the disease pattern. An acute abscess is managed with an incision and drained to release the pus, and reduce the inflammation and pin .This procedure usually an be performed in the office with local anesthesia.
A chronic sinus usually will need to be excised or surgically opened.
Complex or recurrent disease must be treated surgically . Procedures vary from unroofing the sinuses to excision (Figure 2) and possible closure with flaps.
Larger operations require longer healing times.If the wound is left open ,it will require dressing or packing to keep it clean . Although it may take several weeks to heal , the success rate with open wounds is higher.Closure with flaps is a bigger operation that has a higher chance of infection ;however, it may be required in some patients . Your surgeon will discuss these options with you and help you select the appropriate operation.
What are the symptoms?
Symptoms vary from a small dimple to large painful mass. Often the area will drain fluid that may be clear, cloudy or bloody .With infection ,the area becomes red , tender, and the drainage(pus)will have a foul odor. The infection may also cause fever, malaise, or nausea.
There are several common patterns of this disease.Nearly all patients have an episode of an acute abscess.(the area is swollen,tender,and may drain pus).After the abscess resolves,either by itself or with medical assistance,many patients devlop a pilonidal sinus. The sinus is a cavity below the skin surface that connects to the surface with one or more small opnings or tracts. Although a few of these sinus tracts may resolve without therapy ,most patienrs need a small operation to eliminate them.
A small number of patients develop recurrent infections and inflammation of these sinus tracts. The chronic disease causes episodes of swelling,pain and drainage . Surgery is almost always required to resolve this condition.
What care is required after surgery?
If the wound can be closed ,it will need to be kept clean and dry until the skin is completely healed.If the wound must be left open ,dressings or packing will be needed to help remove secretions and to allow the wound to heal from the bottom up.
After healing, the skin in the buttocks crease must be kept clean and free of hair.This is accomplished by shaving or using a hair removal agent every two or three weeks until age 30. After age 30 ,The hair shaft thins,becomes softer and the buttock cleft becomes less deep.
If you have any question or you need additional images, films, articles or etc. please send an Email to info@rasoulazizi.com , I will be glad to help you.
