Wound healing after coccyx fistula surgery
Pilonidal Sinus-OP: How do you prepare to promote healing?
Choosing the right surgical method and an experienced surgeon is crucial for your healing process.
The more that is removed during the operation, the greater the challenge for your body to heal - a process that should not be underestimated. Therefore, take the time to seek advice from a specialist before making a decision.
Many patients initially try surgery at their nearest hospital, thinking they can always go to a specialist later. However, this approach can lead to lengthy wound treatments and time away from school, work and sport, which can be difficult to rectify. Our advanced surgical methods are designed to avoid such problems in the first place.
Find out about the experiences of other patients before making your decision. Reviews on Google or similar portals can be informative. It is often worth making a longer journey to a specialized facility in order to achieve optimal results.
Already had surgery? Your ultimate checklist for aftercare
Have you had an operation on Pilonidal Sinus and are unsure how to deal with the wound properly? It is understandable that you are confused by the numerous opinions from doctors, friends and on the internet. Our wound healing checklist summarizes what is really important. The success or failure of an operation at Pilonidal Sinus is decided in the first 4 - 6 weeks after the procedure.
1. assessment: Was the operation performed suitable to heal the fistula?
- Was your treatment aimed at removing an Pilonidal Sinus or was an abscess simply split? Even if you feel symptom-free at the moment, a second procedure is usually necessary. Without this procedure, the risk of abscess recurrence remains high.
- Have you had a complete removal of the Pilonidal Sinus performed? It is important to carefully inspect the entire gluteal fold to ensure that no noticeable openings have been left behind. The presence of such openings can be a clear sign of impending recurrence. If you suspect this, take the initiative immediately and consult a doctor who specializes in this matter.
2. active wound care: effective hair removal and daily cleansing
- Remove the hair around the wound in an approximately 2 cm wide seam by shaving, depilatory cream, waxing or plucking. Particularly important is the area 3 cm below the deepest wound point, an area that you can see by pulling the buttocks slightly apart.
- In addition, showering once or twice a day is essential to remove wound secretions and minimize the bacterial load. A clean skin surface harbors 10,000 times less bacteria and promotes faster and safer healing. Focus all your attention on these two points to optimally support the healing process!
- Wound irrigation with sterile solutions (physiological NaCL solution, antiseptics) corresponds to the official recommendation of the RKI, but in our view is not absolutely necessary. The sinusectomy procedure does not leave a poorly drained abscess cavity, but a largely "clean" wound cavity due to careful removal of the fistula capsule.
3. you can safely omit these measures
- Antibiotics can be helpful in the short term, especially after complete closure of the wound. The first dose is typically administered during induction of anesthesia, either as an infusion or as a tablet on the morning of the operation. However, the continuation of this treatment over a longer period of time is controversial among experts. Preventive antibiotic administration to avoid wound infections should generally not last longer than three days.
- Tamponades often prove to be painful and ineffective. After removal of a fistula, the wound is usually relatively clean and should not be kept open artificially. This differs from the treatment of an abscess, where it may be necessary to ensure the drainage of pus for a few days.
- The removal of hypergranulations, also known as "wild flesh", with cauterization (silver nitrate) or mechanically is counterproductive. These growths are an indication of obstacles to healing caused by ingrown or loose hairs and are therefore a side effect and not the cause of the problem.
When the hair is removed, the fistula will heal.
The wound is not healing or has reopened?
Don't leave your wound healing to chance - act now!
Plan B for stagnant wound healing: Despite inconspicuous ultrasound findings and optimal care, it can happen that a wound does not heal. If no healing progress is visible over a period of one to two months, you have to face reality: Further surgery may be necessary. Consideration may be given to re-cleaning the wound or performing a Karydakis plasty.
Do not delay the decision to undergo plastic reconstructive surgery unnecessarily. Delays only lead to loss of time and disappointed hopes. You should also not be overly afraid of the procedure. If it is performed by an experienced surgeon, it can be an effective and permanent solution to your wound healing problem.
DR. BERNHARD HOFER & FLORIAN LIEBL
Specialists in Visceral Surgery and Proctology - PartG mbB
Brienner Str. 13, D-80333 Munich
- info@darmsprechstunde.de
- Monday - Friday: 08.00 - 13.00 and 14.00 - 18.00
- and by arrangement
- Saturday, Sunday, Holiday : closed
- Please also note our instructions in the title of this website and on our telephone announcement.
© 2023 Proctology Practice Munich