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the wound was left open by the pilonidal cyst and it is being cleaned and packed and dressed every day. It's taking so long and she's fed up and wishes it would heal. Does anyone have a similar experience? Is there anything we can do to promote healing?
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Thanks for the info, I take from what you've said that the cysts bear watching and staying on top of them, I hope you are able to see a specialist and get the care that you need. Take care, and keep in touch. Pat
November 2, 2010 - 5:11pmThis Comment
Anonymous,
November 1, 2010 - 2:54pmI am a 22 year old girl and had the same process done as your daughter only I was put to sleep and the abscess was drained due to the severity of the infection. My original wound was about four inches long and two and a half inches deep. We made sure to pack it and change dressing daily, the wound was never left unclean. However, it still took from October 31st 2009 when I had the surgery until May 2010 for the wound to heal and it still has an opening that never healed correctly. The general surgeon who did this procedure was excellent but he said that was all part of the process. I completely sympathize with your daughter and hope that she does not have to experience the pain and headache I did for so long. I would recommend seeing a Wound Care Specialist. I know I wish I would have.
This Comment
Thank you for taking the time to write about your experience, it is reassuring to know that it happens to girls too. I hope you are fully recovered & that you have no more problems in the future. Many Thanks.
November 2, 2010 - 1:57pmThis Comment
Anon - Thanks so much for sharing your story and helping out this mom and her daughter. How are you doing now? Any other advice you would give to others who have this procedure in the future? We can all learn from you.
November 1, 2010 - 5:28pmThanks, Pat
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Hi Anonymous
I'm sorry your daughter is going through this. It really is frustrating. This is called healing by third intention or from the inside out, and it can take a long time, but it helps to prevent re-abscessing of the wound due to closing it up over an infection.
Sometimes the method of packing or the materials used in packing can be changed to help with healing. Have you discussed this with your surgeon or have you spoken with a wound care specialist? The wound care specialist is typically a nurse. Sometimes you start with wet to dry dressings soaked in saline or something similar but if it takes forever for the wound to granulate or fill in, they may use something other than saline or add materials to the regimen.
I would discuss this with the surgeon and if you get nowhere, ask for a referral to a wound care specialist. Maybe then you can change things up a bit and see if it will kick start the healing. However, this type of wound, especially if it is very deep, can take quite some time to heal.
Good luck to you and your daughter and if we can help further, please let us know.
October 30, 2010 - 3:02pmThis Comment
Hi Cary, Thanks for your thoughts. I will ask about changing the packing. At the moment we are using sobisan. Its quite good but might be irritating her skin. It has progressed and is no where near as big as some of the images on the internet. Quite scarey eh? its about the size of a kidney bean, and its just this last bit that's taking a long time. Many thanks. Sarah.
November 1, 2010 - 2:31pmThis Comment