Sinus pilonidalis
Twin Brother (Sinus Pilonidalis) — Surgery at the Clinic
Pilonidal sinus (sinus pilonidalis) is a chronic infectious disease that develops in the skin fold at the top of the buttocks. The disease is common, especially among young men, and usually requires surgery to treat. At Lækning í Reykjavík, surgeon Stefán E. Matthíasson performs operations on a pilonidal sinus at Skurðstofann ehf.
If you need surgery for a pilonidal sinus (pilonidal sinus), you are welcome to contact us and make an appointment with a surgeon. Tel: 590 9200.
Preparing for surgery on a twin brother
Preparation:
- Fasting 6 hours before surgery. Usually from midnight before surgery. (Do not eat solid food or drink liquids).
- Painkillers: 1 hour before the operation , take the painkillers Panodil, Paracetamol or Paratabs 500 mg. If you weigh less than 70 kg then 2 tablets and otherwise 3 tablets. If you have liver problems, do not take this medicine without talking to your doctor.
- Shower the night before surgery and also on the morning of surgery. Wash with plain soap.
- For infection prevention reasons, do not moisturise the surgical area or apply depilatory cream/wax to the surgical site one week before surgery. If hair needs to be shaved from the surgical area, this is done at the beginning of surgery by operating room staff.
- No creams or skin emollients should apply to the surgery area on the day of surgery.
- Avoid the use of blood thinners such as acetylsalicylic acid (magnyl, codimagnyl, heartmagnyl, etc.) and all anti-inflammatory drugs (e.g. Ibufen, Ibumetin, Naprox, Voltaren, Vóstar) at least 5 days before the operation. Fish oil and Omega fatty acids are blood thinners and should be discontinued one week before the operation. Those who use the drug Warfarin (Kóvar/Waran/Dicumarol) generally need to stop taking it 6 days before the operation or receive special instructions. The same applies to the drugs; Grepid, Clopidrogel and Plavix which are blood thinners. Those patients who take blood-thinning medications and/or heart medications are advised to be taken on the morning of the surgery with a sip of water. Use of birth control – or Menopause pills do not need to be stopped. Those who have diabetes and use insulin need to talk to the anesthesiologist a few days before the operation (telephone 590 9213).
- The operating room has locked compartments for valuables/telephones etc. Skurðstofan ehf does not guarantee any loss or possible damage to personal effects. The use of smartphones during recovery is prohibited. All recording/distribution of audio and video from the operating theatre as well.
- Upon arrival at the operating theatre, you will meet with a surgeon and anesthesiologist who will explain the main aspects of the procedure and advise on aftercare. You get a gown and disposable underwear to wear and draw on your skin. All patients must sign informed consent prior to the procedure.
- If you have known allergies to medications, patches, disinfectants, etc., it is essential that this is disclosed before the procedure.
- The Icelandic Health Insurance (SÍ) pays for the operation mostly for those with health insurance in Iceland. Payment is collected for the operation. You can pay by credit card or credit card, but not by bill.
After the operation : The vast majority of operations are performed under general anesthesia or local anesthesia with a relaxing drug administered intravenously. After the operation, you will be allowed to recover in the recovery room for 1-2 hours. When you feel confident and the anesthesiologist gives permission, you can go home. Someone must pick you up. Patients are not considered fit to drive until the next day.
Pain: During the first few days, discomfort in the surgical area can be expected. It is advisable to use painkillers if needed and they are available without a prescription in pharmacies (Paracetamol/Panodil 500 mg, 2 tablets four times daily) or with a prescription (Parkodin).
Surgical wounds: Surgical wounds are sometimes left open and allowed to heal. In such cases, the wound needs to be changed regularly. Afterwards, it should be washed with soap and water regularly (in the shower). You can get help from a health center with changing the wound as time goes on. However, it is necessary to attend a check-up with a surgeon for changing the dressings initially after surgery and then every week or two weeks to monitor that the wound is healing properly.
Complications: Bleeding into the incision and infection may occur. Bleeding usually causes pain and the wound bulges out, and over time, bruising develops in and below the wound. When the wound is sutured, there is some risk of infection. Symptoms of infection include pain and tenderness in the wound and fever. If you suspect major bleeding or infection, contact a doctor. It should be borne in mind that this disease has a fairly high recurrence rate. Therefore, it can never be ruled out that the person will need to undergo treatment for the disease again later in life.
Work: Absences from work are individual, depending on the extent of the operation and the individual's job. It is not unusual to be away from work from one to three weeks after the operation, and longer in rare cases. Certificates for work are given upon return.
