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Location and Treatment for Pilonidal Cyst

Picture of treatment methods for a pilonidal cyst

A pilonidal cyst is a closed sac under the skin at the top of the crease between the buttocks. Mild cases may be managed by keeping the area free of hair, such as shaving the area once a month.

Other treatment methods for pilonidal cysts include:

  • Incision and drainage: Your doctor will make a simple cut (incision) in the cyst. This allows the fluid to drain out of the cyst.
  • Excision (surgery): Your doctor will do surgery (excision) to remove the whole cyst. This may be done if the cyst gets infected again, doesn't heal after being drained, or has more than one opening.
By Healthwise Staff
Primary Medical Reviewer Anne C. Poinier, MD - Internal Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer C. Dale Mercer, MD, FRCSC, FACS - General Surgery
Last Revised November 15, 2011

Last Revised: November 15, 2011

Author: Healthwise Staff

Medical Review: Anne C. Poinier, MD - Internal Medicine & C. Dale Mercer, MD, FRCSC, FACS - General Surgery

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