Dear DEL,
If this is the first occurance, the surgeon may try for a "primary closure". If that is tried, and you find a great padded donut to carry around with you, you MAY be able to go back to work (depending on what you do for a living).
These are questions that only your surgoen can answer for YOU and you need to ask him/her BEFORE the surgery.
If this is s recurrent problem, a "primary closure" should not be attempted and the wound is left open to granulate in from the bottom. Depending on the size of the excision, this can take 6-12 months of your lying on your stomach when not walking or standing. Again, this is something you have to ask your surgeon BEFORE the surgery.
Walt
Dr., I had a ganglion cyst drained yesterday. It hurts quite a bit today. What I was wondering is if something I did caused this. Are they preventable? The dr. yesterday told me it may come back and that draining it is only about 40% effective. I don't want to have to go through this all the time. please help.
Selynda
In Reply to: CYST? posted by Selynda on August 07, 1998 at 09:15:46:
Dear Selynda,
Did your doc take the time to explain to you what an ganglion cyst actually is? This is part of the treatment & most of what prevents recurrence.
This is an injury to the tendon sheath that allows the tendon lubricating fluid to escape & form a pocket in the tough tissue that always surrounds the sheath (a cyst).
The only surgical solution is to cut down to the cyst & identify the leak. Then a couple of sutures closing the leak is the end of the problem. This doesn not prevent more but is more effective than pulling out the fluid & injecting cortisone which is supposed to, somehow, seal up the neck of the cyst.
I have found that, in the long run, the most effective prevention of recurrence is by lowering the pressure inside the sheath by the regular practice of skilled relaxation for 6-12 months.
Walt
In Reply to: Re: CYST? posted by Walt Stoll on August 08, 1998 at 10:24:11:
No, he didn't bother to explain anything to me. Thank you for your follow up. I will certainly take your advice.
Thanks!
Selynda
Walt:
Hi,
I was wondering if you or anyone else knows what the difference is between a Blister and a cyst?
I have a fluid filled pocket in the crease of my leg really close to my vagina. I get these more than I'd like to, but only when I have gained weight and still wear the smaller size clothing. That is why I think it may be a blister, it seems to only develop when there is tight clothing right on the spot. These are always painful and if I catch it soon enough it will disapear, if not it will hurt until it pops or gets 'drained'.
I have been to the doctor 2x for these and no one ever said yes this is a cyst - I have always been the one to say I have a cyst and the dr's look at it and 'drain'it (drain seems like such a nice word for what they do).
Namaste'
DarleneG
In Reply to: Blister?? posted by DarleneG on August 19, 1998 at 10:37:42:
Dear Darlene,
This is a blister. A blister only involves the epidermis. Cysts are from blockage of ducts that go to the glands in the dermis (UNDER the epidermis).
I would just keep them clean until they burst, then remove any dead skin & keep them clean till they heal. In creases like you are describing, you might have to cover them with dry gause to try to keep the healing area as dry as possible till they heal. This is basically the same approach one should use for a blister on the foot or a burn.
IF, in spite of the above care, they start to get redness around them, the applicartion of moist heat ( as hot as one can stand (except for the diabetic foot) for 5 minutes several times a day, is the best first aid. If not better in 24-48 hours an antibiotic may be added to the above.
Walt
Hello There - I am new to AOL and I am not sure if this will get to you. I just has surgery for the 3rd time on my pilonidal cyst. These surgeries have occurred over a 15 year time period. The first two times the Doctors stiched it up. This 3rd time, the Doctor left it open to Drain. I am hopeful that it will heal correctly this time. My question is; After the Gauze was removed, was more Gauze inserted? In other words, Did the Doctor periodically repack the Gauze? - Ben
In Reply to: Re: pilonidal cyst posted by Ben Martin on August 23, 1998 at 12:26:13:
Dear Ben,
I hope Robin sees your note since hers was a month old.
I am not a surgeon. However, it is MY understanding that repacking with gause would prevent it filling in from the bottom as it is supposed to do (at least for a lot longer than is necessary to fix this-----your surgeon is the person to ask)
It is critical that it be kept clean & that no pressure be placed on it till it is closed for a few weeks. So long as it is kept open to the air, that process is MUCH easier to accomplish. Your surgeon MUST advise you. HIS/HER job is not to cut & run but to follow this till it is done!
Walt
In Reply to: Re: pilonidal cyst posted by Walt Stoll on August 24, 1998 at 09:20:32:
Hi. I just had a pilonidal aptectomy on 8/25/98. As a result I now have a 5 inch long cut that is 2 inches deep. I am concerned about the amount of time needed to heal. Can anyone provide me with information regarding the healing process? As of right now, I feel that it will take forever and it is not getting less painful. I would apprciate a reply for I am extremely anxious to know of anyone else's experience with this type of surgery. Thanks.
In Reply to: Re: pilonidal cyst posted by Joanne on August 28, 1998 at 17:30:41:
Dear Joanne,
The surgeon is not supposed to just "cut & run"! I'm sure that his/her fee is sufficient that s/he can take the time to explain this to you. S/he is the proper person to tell you this since everyone is different.
The average person takes about 6 months to heal this in from the bottom of the wound. It is the responsibility of the surgeon to explain to you exactly what you can do to be sure that this happens right. Do not take no for an answer!
Good luck! Walt