My son was diagnosed at age 16 and we were sent to a General Pediatric Surgeon. At the time the sinuses had closed as they were finished purging. Doctor made it sound as if the condition would worsen if he did not have surgery ASAP. Surgeon cut, his words, to the tail bone, closed the incision and sent us home.
My son had symptoms and as I thought the situation was fixed; I assumed it was hemorrhoid related (I know duh). This summer has been spent with Dr. Sang Lee at the Keck Hospital of the University of So. California and Dr. Patel (a plastic surgeon) repairing the prior surgery and removal of the Pilonidal. I am hoping this will be the last surgery for my son. Dr. Lee said he would have made small incisions initially and the hole left was large even though the canal was not that large.
He referred to the procedure as a Bascom and the plastic surgeon made incisions to loosen up the skin so there would be no open space where the Pilonidal was.
Advice – 1) Treat with antibiotics until the person is old enough to see a specialist and NOT a General Surgeon. Go slow and find someone who specializes.
2) We live 70 miles from USC but our interview with Dr. Sang Lee convinced my son that this was the doctor to see. He is the head of the department and being in a teaching hospital is a plus.
3) Plan to have the surgery during a time when the patient can do nothing. My son has not sat down for 3 weeks – so that the area does not stretch and recreate the problem.
Good Luck