Pilonidal Sinus Surgery
What is Pilonidal Sinus Surgery?
Pilonidal sinus surgery involves removing a pilonidal sinus—a small tunnel or cyst near the tailbone (sacrococcygeal region) containing hair and debris, prone to infection and abscess formation. Surgery is the definitive treatment for chronic or recurrent cases. In India, this procedure is performed in specialized colorectal or general surgery centers at affordable rates, ensuring effective outcomes for patients.
Why do you need Pilonidal Sinus Surgery?
Pilonidal sinus surgery is indicated for:
- Chronic or recurrent pilonidal sinus: Persistent pain, discharge, or swelling.
- Acute pilonidal abscess: Severe infection requiring drainage, often followed by excision.
- Failed non-surgical treatments: No improvement with antibiotics, hygiene, or hair removal.
The goal is to remove the sinus tract, reduce recurrence, and promote healing. Hospitals like Apollo, Fortis, Medanta, and AIIMS in India offer various techniques, including excision with open healing, primary closure, or flap reconstruction.
Why Do Pilonidal Sinus Surgery Costs Vary in India?
Costs range from ₹30,000 to ₹2 lakh:
- Procedure Type: Open healing (₹30,000–₹80,000), primary closure (₹50,000–₹1 lakh), flap reconstruction (₹80,000–₹2 lakh), EPSiT (₹1–1.5 lakh).
- Hospital/Location: Higher in metro cities (Apollo, Fortis); lower in government hospitals (AIIMS, ₹10,000–₹50,000).
- Surgeon’s Expertise: Experienced surgeons charge more.
- Additional Costs: Diagnostics, medications, dressings (₹200–₹500/session for open wounds).
- Insurance: Often covered for symptomatic cases; Ayushman Bharat offers subsidies.
Pilonidal Sinus Surgery Procedure
- Before Surgery Evaluation:
- Diagnosis: Physical exam identifies sinus openings, discharge, or abscess; MRI/ultrasound used for complex cases.
- Preparation: Antibiotics for active infection, shaving of the area, blood tests for surgical fitness, and patient counseling on wound care.
- Surgical Techniques:
- Incision and Drainage: For acute abscesses, under local anesthesia; pus is drained, followed by definitive surgery after 4–6 weeks.
- Excision with Open Healing:
- Under general/spinal anesthesia, 30–60 minutes.
- Sinus tract and infected tissue excised; wound left open to heal naturally (secondary intention).
- Excision with Primary Closure:
- Sinus excised, wound sutured closed for faster healing; higher recurrence risk.
- Flap Reconstruction (e.g., Karydakis, Limberg Flap):
- For complex/recurrent cases; sinus excised, flap of skin/tissue covers the defect, reducing recurrence.
- Endoscopic Pilonidal Sinus Treatment (EPSiT):
- Minimally invasive; endoscope removes the sinus through small incisions, offering less pain and faster recovery.
- After Surgery:
- Same-day discharge or 1–3 day stay (flap procedures).
- Pain managed with medications; open wounds need daily dressings; closed wounds require suture care.
- Follow-ups assess healing and recurrence.
Recovery After Pilonidal Sinus Surgery
- Hospital Stay: Same-day discharge (open/closed) or 1–3 days (flap).
- Post-Surgery Care:
- Pain managed with medications, sitz baths for hygiene.
- Open healing: Daily dressings for 4–8 weeks; closed/flap: Suture removal in 10–14 days.
- Activity/Diet:
- Light activities in 1–2 days; avoid strenuous activities for 3–6 weeks.
- High-fiber diet, 2–3 liters water daily to prevent constipation.
- Follow-Up:
- Check-ups at 1–2 weeks, 4–6 weeks, 3 months.
- Healing: 4–8 weeks (open), 2–4 weeks (closed/flap).
Patients resume normal activities in 2–4 weeks (closed) or 6–8 weeks (open). Success rates are 85–95% with flap procedures; recurrence rates are 5–20%.
Risks and Complications
- Surgical Risks: Bleeding, infection.
- Wound Issues: Delayed healing, wound breakdown (5–15% in primary closure).
- Recurrence: 5–20%, higher with primary closure; risk factors include obesity, poor hygiene.
- General Risks: Anesthesia reactions, scarring.
- Long-Term: Chronic discomfort (rare).
Report fever, increased pain, or discharge promptly.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What causes pilonidal sinus?
Hair penetration into the skin near the tailbone, worsened by sitting, obesity, or poor hygiene.
Can it be treated without surgery?
Early cases may improve with antibiotics and hygiene, but chronic/recurrent cases need surgery.
Open vs. closed healing?
Open: Lower recurrence (5–10%), slower healing (4–8 weeks). Closed: Faster healing (2–4 weeks), higher recurrence (10–20%).
How soon can I resume activities?
2–4 weeks (closed), 6–8 weeks (open).
Is it covered by insurance in India?
Yes, for symptomatic cases; confirm with your provider.
Signs of complications?
Fever, severe pain, persistent discharge.
Can it recur?
Yes, 5–20% risk; reduced with flap procedures, hygiene, and hair removal.
Lifestyle changes post-surgery?
Good hygiene, avoid prolonged sitting, regular hair removal, high-fiber diet.
Conclusion
Pilonidal sinus surgery effectively treats chronic or recurrent pilonidal disease, with techniques tailored to the patient’s needs. India’s top hospitals (Apollo, Fortis, AIIMS) offer affordable, high-quality care. Understanding the procedure, costs, recovery, risks, and FAQs helps patients approach surgery confidently. Consult a colorectal or general surgeon for personalized guidance and successful treatment.
Looking for Best Hospitals for Pilonidal Sinus Surgery
Note: we are not promoting any hospitals
we are not promoting any hospitals we sourced all the details from google and hospitals website, please verify and start with your surgery here we go the list includes government, budget and superspeciality hospitals accreditation bodies are the National Accreditation Board for Hospitals and Healthcare Providers (NABH) and the Joint Commission International (JCI)
- click on your city and schedule your surgery now done in good hands.
| City | Minimum Price (₹) | Maximum Price (₹) |
|---|---|---|
Agra |
40,000 |
1,00,000 |
Ahmedabad |
50,000 |
1,20,000 |
Ajmer |
40,000 |
1,00,000 |
Aligarh |
40,000 |
1,00,000 |
Allahabad |
40,000 |
1,00,000 |
Amritsar |
45,000 |
1,10,000 |
Aurangabad |
45,000 |
1,10,000 |
Bangalore |
50,000 |
1,20,000 |
Bareilly |
40,000 |
1,00,000 |
Belgaum |
45,000 |
1,10,000 |
Bhopal |
45,000 |
1,10,000 |
Bhubaneswar |
45,000 |
1,10,000 |
Bikaner |
40,000 |
1,00,000 |
Chandigarh |
50,000 |
1,20,000 |
Chennai |
50,000 |
1,20,000 |
Coimbatore |
50,000 |
1,20,000 |
Dehradun |
45,000 |
1,10,000 |
Delhi |
50,000 |
1,20,000 |
Dhanbad |
40,000 |
1,00,000 |
Durgapur |
40,000 |
1,00,000 |
Faridabad |
50,000 |
1,20,000 |
Ghaziabad |
50,000 |
1,20,000 |
Gorakhpur |
40,000 |
1,00,000 |
Guntur |
45,000 |
1,10,000 |
Gurgaon |
50,000 |
1,20,000 |
Guwahati |
45,000 |
1,10,000 |
Gwalior |
40,000 |
1,00,000 |
Hyderabad |
50,000 |
1,20,000 |
Indore |
45,000 |
1,10,000 |
Jabalpur |
40,000 |
1,00,000 |
Jaipur |
50,000 |
1,20,000 |
Jalandhar |
45,000 |
1,10,000 |
Jamshedpur |
45,000 |
1,10,000 |
Jodhpur |
40,000 |
1,00,000 |
Kanpur |
40,000 |
1,00,000 |
Kochi |
50,000 |
1,20,000 |
Kolkata |
50,000 |
1,20,000 |
Kollam |
45,000 |
1,10,000 |
Lucknow |
45,000 |
1,10,000 |
Ludhiana |
50,000 |
1,20,000 |
Madurai |
45,000 |
1,10,000 |
Mangalore |
45,000 |
1,10,000 |
Meerut |
40,000 |
1,00,000 |
Moradabad |
40,000 |
1,00,000 |
Mumbai |
50,000 |
1,20,000 |
Mysore |
50,000 |
1,20,000 |
Nagpur |
45,000 |
1,10,000 |
Nashik |
45,000 |
1,10,000 |
Navi Mumbai |
50,000 |
1,20,000 |
Noida |
50,000 |
1,20,000 |
Patna |
40,000 |
1,00,000 |
Pune |
50,000 |
1,20,000 |
Raipur |
45,000 |
1,10,000 |
Rajkot |
45,000 |
1,10,000 |
Ranchi |
40,000 |
1,00,000 |
Surat |
50,000 |
1,20,000 |
Thane |
50,000 |
1,20,000 |
Vadodara |
45,000 |
1,10,000 |
Varanasi |
40,000 |
1,00,000 |
Visakhapatnam |
45,000 |
1,10,000 |
Disclaimer
This information is sourced from open platforms and is for general awareness only. Costs may vary based on individual cases. Please consult a qualified doctor for medical advice and explore options within your budget before deciding on the procedure.