Self-Care After Pilonidal Surgery
Proper post-operative care is an integral part of its success. Washing, dressing, and hair removal should continue under the supervision of the surgeon until complete recovery.
Principles of self-care
Washing the surgical area while sitting
Washing the surgical area while standing
1. Bathe the operated area with warm running water and regular soap. The first bath is the day after the surgery and should be continued at least twice a day. The area is washed in a slightly squatting position, while spraying a gentle stream from below, using the shower hose, for several minutes.
Postoperative gluteal cleft dressing
2. Permanent dressing of the surgical area: Care must be taken to keep the surgical area dry, throughout the day (except while bathing).
It is recommended to use 3 to 5 gauze pads measuring 10×10 cm, folded in half and placed along the buttocks, close to the bottom of the socket. The pads should be secured with a plaster on top. The pads do not have to be sterile.
The goals of the dressing: absorbing secretions from the operated area, maintaining drainage and ventilation by separating the two sides of the buttock socket, preventing hair from entering the surgical wounds, which could impair healing.
In the situation after a wide excision and leaving the surgical wound open , there is usually a need for special dressings recommended by the surgeon to prevent the dressing from adhering to the surgical wound.
3. Hair removal in the surgical area: Some patients will require hair removal in the surgical area throughout the recovery period. The need for this will be determined individually during the first post-operative check-up.
When hair removal is required in this area, it is recommended to use tweezers or a hair removal cream (for delicate skin) once or twice a week. Regular shaving is difficult and ineffective in this area.
After recovery is complete, laser hair removal treatments may reduce the recurrence rate.
4. Postoperative pain management : For pain, Optalgin or paracetamol can be used – up to 4 tablets a day. In the case of more severe pain, painkillers from the ibuprofen family (such as Nurofen, Advil, Addax) can be used, as long as there is no known sensitivity or allergy.
5. Return to work and normal daily activities is possible within a few days after minimal treatment and several weeks to months after extensive resection . It is recommended to avoid prolonged sitting and activities such as riding, running, and swimming in public places until healing is complete and in accordance with the surgeon's instructions.
6. Warning signs: If any of the following symptoms appear in the days following surgery – fever above 38 degrees, increasing pain, swelling in the surgical area, or bleeding that does not stop with a thick bandage and local pressure – you should consult your surgeon urgently .
7. Check-ups and continued treatment: It is very important to arrive for check-ups on the scheduled date. During the check-up, signs of inflammation are checked, hairs that may penetrate the surgical wounds are removed, and instructions for continued treatment are updated according to the state of recovery.
Important: Patients who do not attend follow-up examinations or do not strictly follow the instructions in full, may suffer from poor recovery and recurrence of the disease.