A pilonidal cyst is a chronic infection of the skin that occurs between the buttocks. Causes for the development of the disease are obesity, dense body hair, increased sweat secretion and prolonged sitting. The condition can occur in all age groups, but is most commonly seen in younger people and most frequently in men. Pilonidal cysts are often a complicated condition with chronic inflammation and a risk of recurrent abscess formation.
Pilonidal cysts are divided into acute and chronic conditions. If there is acute inflammation in the cyst, i.e. heat, redness, swelling, tenderness and possibly fever, the acute situation will first be treated by opening the abscess to release the inflammation. The abscess should then heal from the bottom up. If the condition becomes chronic, a Bascom's cleft-lift operation can be performed. In this operation, the surgeon removes the diseased tissue and stitches the skin back together with dissolvable thread.