Pilonidal Sinus
Preparation:
As for general anaesthetic.
Procedure:
This will depend upon whether there is any infection related to the sinus or not. If there is an abscess this will be incised and the defect left open. In elective situations where there is no evidence of infection the sinus will be cut out – this usually involves a deeper incision than may be expected as the pilonidal tract often extends down to close to the bone of the sacrum. The wound can be closed with sutures after the procedure.
Anaesthetic:
General
Post Op:
If the wound has been left open (i.e. if an abscess was drained) regular dressings will be required until there is bridging over of the skin.
When the wound has been closed with sutures it is important to look for signs of infection i.e. increasing pain, discharge and surrounding redness. In this situation the sutures should be removed early and the wound dressed as above.
After healing of a pilonidal sinus wound there is approximately a 1: 10 chance of recurrence - to minimise this it may be an advantage to try to keep the area involved free from hair either by regular shaving or the use of depletory creams. In some cases electrolysis has been used.
OPC Code:
H5940 Excision and closure pilonidal sinus
H6020 Laying open pilonidal sinus
