What to Expect After Excision of Pilonidal Sinus

General symptoms pertaining to both laparoscopic and open repair

• Pain, numbness, mild swelling, and mild redness along the incision

• Minor bruising

• Subtle ridge of tissue just deep to the incision

• Most of the above should settle with time; raise them with your surgeon at the time of your postoperative clinic visit

Pain:

• It is normal to experience mild to moderate pain for about a week after surgery; and some degree of discomfort may continue beyond this time period. These symptoms and others can be reviewed at the time of the postoperative clinic visit, usually at the 4-6 week mark from surgery.

Wound care:

• The wound will be left partially open and it will heal on its own (healing by secondary intention)

• The wound will be packed by gauze every other day (Nursing staff will do this)

• If the wound is larger in size a negative pressure dressing will be placed by nursing staff and managed by them

• It is normal to have periodic drops of blood, spotting, and some drainage of clear or yellowish fluid

When to refer to the emergency department:

• Chest pain / shortness of breath

• Fever in the first few days postop

• Worsening pain despite taking pain medications

• Bleeding from the incision

Please call our clinic any time with any questions or concerns.