Epithelial coccygeal passage (Coccygeal cyst, Epithelial coccygeal cyst, Coccygeal fistula, Pilonidal sinus) - is a congenital defect in the development of soft tissues of the sacrococcygeal region containing hair, the symptoms of which appear mainly at a young age (from 15 to 30 years).
Symptoms
- Pain, redness and swelling at the base of the back.
- Discharge of pus or ichor from the opening on it.
- Bad smelling discharge.
- Pain on palpation.
- Fever.
When should I seek help?
As soon as one of the above symptoms appears, consult a surgeon. Remember that late treatment can prolong your suffering.
Early treatment means timely treatment and prevention of complications.
Despite the fact that ECC is a congenital disease, the patient can live for years without suspecting the presence of the disease and not feel any discomfort. In the cold period, the disease is almost asymptomatic, but there may be complaints of small purulent discharge above the anus, moisture in the skin between the buttocks, anal itching. Therefore, people learn about it and consult a doctor only when inflammation develops.
DIAGNOSIS
Diagnostics of coccygeal cysts and epithelial coccygeal passages is quite simple and does not present any particular difficulties.
Diagnosis is made after anamnesis, examination and ultrasound diagnostics. The characteristic localization of the process plays an important role in diagnostics.
A developed abscess in the coccyx area is subject to opening. It can open on its own, in which case the pain goes away, relief occurs and even the disappearance of external signs of inflammation; the wound closes and an imaginary period of well-being begins.
In this case, healing does not occur. The patient cannot be considered fully recovered, since he still has a focus of dormant chronic infection, which usually gives a repeated exacerbation with the formation of fistulas and recurrent abscesses, and sometimes phlegmon.
Treatment of epithelial coccygeal passage
Treatment of epithelial coccygeal passage today is only surgical. Only radical surgery can completely cure the patient.
Surgery
The surgery is performed under local anesthesia, spinal anesthesia or intravenous anesthesia.
The surgery lasts from 30 minutes to 1 hour.
The surgery involves removing the epithelial canal along with all the primary openings and the altered tissues around it.
Postoperative period
During the postoperative period, the patient stays in the day hospital for several hours to a day until the general condition is completely normalized.
During the first day after the surgery, patients are on bed rest. You can get up and walk the next day after the surgery. You can sit down on the 4th - 5th day. You can sit fully - on the 8th - 10th day. The stitches are removed on the 12th day.
Drug therapy after surgery includes antibiotics and painkillers for 5-7 days and dressings until the wound is completely healed.