If you have pilonidal disease, you have likely visited an urgent care or a general practitioner who told you to "just wash it" or "wait for it to burst." To truly solve the problem, you need to find a Pilonidal Specialist.
Key Takeaways
- •General surgeons often perform outdated procedures like open excision.
- •A specialist focuses on procedures like the Bascom Cleft Lift.
- •Experience correlates directly with lower recurrence rates.
Why Not a General Surgeon?
General surgeons are excellent at gallbladders and hernias, but pilonidal disease is uniquely difficult because it involves healing in a "high-tension, low-oxygen" area (the buttock crease). Many general surgeons still advocate for wide local excision, which often leads to wounds that won't heal for many months.
What to Look For in a Specialist
- Volume: How many pilonidal surgeries do they perform each month? A specialist should be doing several per week, not several per year.
- Technique: Do they offer the Bascom Cleft Lift? This is the benchmark for modern pilonidal care.
- Success Rate: Ask about their recurrence and "failed healing" rates. A specialist should have a recurrence rate under 5%.
Pilonidal Fix: Your NJ Experts
At Pilonidal Fix, we specialize entirely in this condition. We understand the physical pain and the social embarrassment it causes. We offer state-of-the-art office-based treatments and advanced plastic-surgery-based flap reconstructions to ensure you only have to do this once.
Frequently Asked Questions
Most pilonidal procedures are medically necessary and covered by insurance. Contact our office for a specific verification.
This depends on your insurance plan (PPO vs. HMO), but we are happy to help you navigate the process.