Pilonidal sinus surgery

A pilonidal sinus is a small hole or tunnel, almost always between the buttock cheeks, caused by ingrowing hairs

What is a pilonidal sinus?

A pilonidal sinus is an inflamed sinus tract or channel that commonly contains hair follicles.

It occurs under the skin between the buttocks, a short distance above the anus.

Germs can build up among the hairs within the sinuses causing swelling, discharge and infection.

Need to know

What happens during surgery?

Your consultant will usually perform surgery by excising the abnormal skin with the sinus. It is undertaken using general anaesthetic. The resulting hole can be left open and packed with a dressing, closed with just a suture (a row of stitches holding together the edges of the incision), or with a ‘flap’ of nearby tissue.

How to prepare

Your consultant will let you know how best to prepare for your procedure.

After surgery

You will need to take pain relief as prescribed by your consultant, especially prior to dressing changes. Your wound may be left open and packed with a dressing known as Aquacel or Kaltostat each day.

If your wound has had a primary closure (been stitched up during surgery), you will be advised of this and when the sutures will need removing.