Affecting about 70,000 Americans, pilonidal disease is a chronic infection that causes a lot of discomfort in addition to the health risks it may involve. Infections arise from pilonidal cysts that form when hair and other debris become trapped under the skin near your tailbone. As the infection spreads, it forms a channel or pilonidal sinus that needs medical intervention to prevent more serious complications.
Until recently, your only real option for long-term relief and infection prevention was to have the sinus surgically removed using traditional surgery techniques, a process that can be associated with a longer and more complex recovery routine.
Today, though, there’s an alternative: minimally invasive therapy using the advanced neoLaser® system designed to effectively treat pilonidal disease without large incisions or significant tissue damage. In this post, Michael H. Tarlowe, MD, and his team describe five ways neoLaser could benefit you.
Because neoLaser is a minimally invasive treatment, it’s less invasive than traditional pilonidal cyst surgery — in fact, neoLaser doesn’t even use traditional incisions. Instead, we insert a super-thin laser fiber through the natural opening created by the sinus tract or through a very small nearby incision.
Once inside, the laser energy destroys the diseased tissue from within while preserving surrounding healthy tissue. That means treatment is much quicker and much more comfortable than treatments using traditional surgical techniques.
Not surprisingly, one of the biggest concerns many patients have about pilonidal cyst surgery is how quickly they’ll be able to get back to their regular activities, including work. The good news: Because neoLaser preserves more healthy tissue and minimizes nerve damage, you generally can expect to get back to your routine more quickly than with conventional surgery.
NeoLaser can also be performed using local anesthesia, eliminating the need for general anesthesia and the risks it may involve. For many people, that means bypassing weeks of recovery, as well as a more streamlined recovery routine.
Some types of traditional pilonidal cyst surgery leave open wounds that require frequent dressing changes and ongoing care during healing. While these tasks are certainly “doable,” there’s no denying they can be cumbersome and even a little nerve-racking at first.
Once again, neoLaser’s minimally invasive approach results in a very small treatment site that’s much easier to manage during healing. That said, aftercare is still essential for your own recovery, and it’s important to follow the specific recovery instructions Dr. Tarlowe provides before you’re discharged home.
A pilonidal cyst can simply be drained, but doing so doesn’t remove the cyst, which means infections can return. By treating the problem at its source, neoLaser helps prevent future infections and the need for further intervention.
During your treatment, laser energy directly heats the tract, naturally sealing the channel walls and closing off the diseased sinus. Addressing the underlying cause rather than just treating the symptoms can lead to a better long-term outcome for you.
Traditional pilonidal cyst treatment can leave very deep scars across the gluteal cleft, increasing your risk of irritation, skin breakdown, and future infections. Deep scars can also cause cosmetic concerns.
NeoLaser’s minimally invasive technique and tiny incision size mean very minimal scarring afterward. Plus, because neoLaser preserves more healthy tissue, you can expect better cosmetic results and a smoother recovery overall.
NeoLaser definitely offers potential benefits for many people suffering from pilonidal disease — but it’s not always the best choice. For example, more extensive disease, previous surgery and complex sinus anatomy may require traditional surgery to ensure optimal long-term results.
If you have pilonidal disease, having an evaluation with Dr. Tarlowe is the first step in finding a solution that works for you. To schedule your assessment, call 954-210-7127 or request an appointment online with Dr. Tarlowe in Deerfield Beach, Florida, today.
