Removal of a pilonidal cyst is a procedure for draining or removing a cyst near the tailbone.

If acutely infected this procedure may be done to open and drain an infected pilonidal cyst prior to surgical excision. A pilonidal cyst is a saclike structure under the skin. It usually happens in the crease just above the buttocks, near the tailbone. Most of the time it contains hair. It can become infected and cause a recurrent abscess. If infected it usually needs to be drained prior to surgical excision (removal) of the cyst.

What happens after the procedure?

The procedure is outpatient and you will go home afterword. Keep the area as clean as possible. It will be closed with multiple layers of dissolvable sutures with an outer layer of it was closed with stitches, the stitches may stay in as long as 2 to 3 weeks.

The wound will need 1 to 2 months to heal. In some cases it may take multiple weeks to months to heal.