Mr Russell Hodgson
Copyright © 2017 Mr Russell Hodgson HPB and General Surgeon, Melbourne, Australia
Appointments/Enquiries: 9456 9511
Specialist HPB and General Surgeon
“Pilo” coming from the Latin word for hair and “nidal” coming from the Latin word for nest, is a terms that encompasses sinuses, cysts, abscesses and fistula tracts in the region of the upper midline of the buttock. They tend to occur in adolescence and occur when hairs falling from the back collect in the buttock “crack” and migrate under the skin. Eventually a sinus develops, from which abscesses and cysts can form which are very painful and often need surgical treatment. To prevent further abscesses and cysts from forming, it is important to remove the sinus as well. Sometimes infection prevents this being a possibility and therefore it is common for pilonidal disease to be treated in 2 stages. As this is an area of the body with poor blood supply, it is important for the surgical treatments to be accompanied by a healthy diet and avoidance of smoking.
