Treatment

Surgery is the classic way to treat pilonidal cysts. Other options such as cooling the affected area or applying antibiotics and ointments may mitigate the symptoms – proper healing, however, is not achieved.

 

The surgeon does not remove the pilonidal cyst alone, but also lots of surrounding tissue. In some cases the surgeon even cuts as deep as the periosteum of the coccyx. This shall prevent a recurrence of the pilonidal cyst.

 

Besides the usual side effects accompanying regular surgery, wound healing is especially problematic. Due to the wound’s anatomically disadvantageous position and the previous infection, an average of 40 percent of patients experience disturbed wound healing. Furthermore, about 20 percent of those affected show recurrences within three years time.

 

Up to now, a classic surgery was the only option physicians had to remove pilonidal cysts. To provide physicians and patients with an alternative which allows for a more gentle treatment with fewer risks, we at biolitec have developed SiLaC^® – an innovative laser procedure for the removal of pilonidal cysts.