Pilonidal Cyst Archives

pilonidal

Dr. Stoll, thanks for having a forum to discuss these issues. I have read the bb and have an appointment to speak with a dr., i know your stance on surgery(only as a last resort) my question, other than leakage and comfort issues are cysts harmfull to the body? i feel that i should get this thing out of my body but i'm put off by the % of failures. If it was a cyst anywhere else on the body what would be the urgency to get it out? once again thanks for your response.

Follow Ups:

• Re: pilonidal (% recurrance after definitive surgery) Archive. Walt Stoll 10:56:48 1/15/03 (0)
• Re: pilonidal just another suffer 10:30:36 1/15/03 (0)

In Reply to: pilonidal posted by confused on January 14, 2003 at 16:19:47:

Just so you know the % rate of failed surgeries that are quoted on this site are not proven. I'm not saying they are maybe not right but they are not proven. There has not been a long term recurrance rate done on the pilonidal after surgery or for those who choose not to have surgery. So just be careful about basing your decision on the rates of recurrance.

The recurrance rates that are quoted in the medical reports and by doctors are for post op infections only not a long term recurrance rate. So for open method it's 15% chance of a post op infection for closed method it's a 20% chance.

I hope this helps, in my research I found the rates the most confusing and misleading information out there, and it took alot of research to find that there is no long term rates. Which sucks it would be nice to know what our chances are in like five to ten years after surgery.

I based my decision on surgery on the fact that mine had to be lanced twice a year with months of healing. For me surgery would be better even if I had to have one every two to three years. That's better than twice a year.

As for leaving it be will it cause damage or problems well there is alot of information that says these cyst tunnel and can grow inside. However I've heard of peopel who have one flare-up and are never bothered again! Another site to gain information is www.pilonidal.org

Good luck!!
just another suffer

In Reply to: pilonidal posted by confused on January 14, 2003 at 16:19:47:

Hi, Confused.

Just could be right about the % but I know what I would do if I had one and that is try my very best to live with it before ever considering surgery. I think the 50% recurrance rate is even a more hopeful estimate than it really is.

This is purely a local problem except when it gets infected and then hot compresses will keep it localized until it can be lanced.

Walt