Pilonidal Disease

Pilonidal disease is a common problem frequently seen in young adults, but can happen at any age.  Hairs in the natal cleft (midline area between the buttocks) can become ingrown and create chronic infections, resulting in pain, drainage of fluid, and even fistula (abnormal connection to another organ) formation.   What seems like a simple problem actually becomes very difficult to fix.  Surgeries are prone to recurrence, prolonged wound healing, pain, and disfiguring scars.  Over 100 surgeries have been developed for pilonidal disease, but recently, the cleft lift flap has begun to differentiate itself over the others as the preferred approach.   Both Drs. Olson and Muraliraj have extensive experience with the cleft lift approach to pilonidal disease and frequently use it in treatment with good results.