A cyst is an epithelial lined sac (a sac lined with tissue similar to the inside of your cheek) that has potentially been present since you were an embryo or develops when a gland in the skin becomes clogged.
Pilonidal disease is not pilonidal cyst disease because it’s an acquired condition. Pilonidal disease (AKA pilonidal cysts) is not congenital, it is an acquired infection involving the skin and underlying tissue of the midline natal (buttock) cleft. THE CAUSE OF PILONIDAL DISEASE IS THE DEEP BUTTOCK CLEFT, AND OPERATIONS TO FIX THIS PROBLEM NEED TO MAKE THE CLEFT SHALLOWER!
There’s no such thing as a pilonidal cyst!
While many doctors and patients commonly call the condition a ‘pilonidal cyst,’ the term is a misnomer and indicates a misunderstanding of the disease.
Why isn’t it really a pilonidal cyst?
For the term ‘pilonidal cyst’ to be correct, there must be an infected glandular cyst lined by epithelium (like skin). However, cysts are not present in pilonidal disease, and there is no such thing as a ‘pilonidal cyst’. People who develop a pilonidal disease are not born with it (congenital theory); they acquire it, likely by repeated microtrauma in someone prone to the condition. THEY ARE BORN WITH A DEEP VALLEY/CLEFT BETWEEN THEIR BUTTOCK CHEEKS AND THIS CONGENITAL TRAIT ALLOWS THE CONDITION TO DEVELOP.
Pilonidal Disease: An Explainer
If you are reading this website, you are probably looking for a better way to treat your pilonidal disease. In our overview of Pilonidal infections, we discuss in detail the Pilonidal RAF (Rotation and Advancement Flap / Cleft Lift) procedure, the most reliable and successful surgical treatment to date.
So, what is pilonidal disease?
Those who properly understand pilonidal disease realize that it is an abscess of the natal cleft’s skin and subcutaneous tissue (the tissue under the skin).
WebMD, the Mayo Clinic, and Wikipedia (check out reference 8 — it’s dr. Sternberg’s) all incorrectly use the term ‘pilonidal cyst’ rather than ‘pilonidal disease’ and incorrectly refer to surgical procedures for this problem.
Why does this misconception create a problem?
Surgeons who perform operations for pilonidal disease often mistakenly believe it is caused by a congenital cyst. This misconception can lead to ineffective surgical approaches. Typically, these surgeons excise a significant amount of healthy tissue in an attempt to fully remove the so-called ‘cyst.’ They may choose to leave the wound open or close it under tension. This can create a dead space—an area beneath the surface that is often filled with infectious fluid. Unfortunately, these surgical procedures often complicate what could have been a straightforward case. By aggressively removing large sections of tissue, the resulting incisions or wounds are located deep within the airless cleft or valley. Open wounds frequently struggle to heal in such an environment, while closed wounds may reopen, ultimately creating a problem that is worse than the original condition.
OPERATIONS THAT FAIL TO MAKE THE DEEP CLEFT MORE SHALLOW, DON’T ELIMINATE EMPY/DEAD SPACE, AND DON’T PLACE THE INCISION AWAY FROM THE VULNERABLE MIDLINE (THIS IS WHERE ALL THE TENSION IS) WON’T RELIABLY CURE PILONIDAL DISEASE.
Read more about the symptoms, causes, and treatment for Pilonidal Disease.
Patient Testimonials: The Blog
Read success stories from surgery patients
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Life-Changing Pilonidal Surgery
My Teen’s Success Story with The Sternberg Clinic My teenage daughter is now over two years post operation and it has been life-changing! This is your sign to contact this clinic if you are having pilonidal issues! Prior to seeking expert pilonidal surgery help from this clinic, my daughter suffered a year and a half,
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100% Healed without Signs of Pilonidal Disease
2022, The Initial Diagnosis In 2022 my son was diagnosed with pilonidal disease. After several rounds of antibiotic and lancing we went to a very renowned surgeon in our area who told us that surgery is the answer. My son underwent surgery to remove the diseased tissue. We were told it needed to heal from
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I have No Pain, No Drainage, and can Finally Live my Life
I am so Thankful for Finding Dr. Sternberg After 7 years and 5 failed surgeries, I was worried I was going to have to live with my Pilonidal Disease my whole life. Thankfully, a doctor in the Bay Area pointed me in the direction of Dr. Sternberg’s clinic. Dr Sternberg was incredibly friendly and his
Meet Your Surgeon, Dr. Jeffrey Sternberg
After many years performing major abdominal operations including open and laparoscopic resections for colon cancer, rectal cancer, Crohn’s disease, and Ulcerative colitis, I have chosen to concentrate my efforts in a few highly specialized areas of surgery where I feel I can make the greatest positive impact on patients.
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