Pilonidal Cyst Surgery Cost
Pilonidal cyst surgery is a surgical procedure is designed to remove the pilonidal cyst, a benign cyst filled with debris and hair, located close to the tailbone in the upper part of the buttocks.
In the case of an infection, the cyst can become quite painful, often leading to a surgical option.
How much does pilonidal cyst surgery cost?
The average cost of pilonidal cyst surgery will depend on your geographical region, the type of procedure, your surgeon, the facility, the billing inclusions and your health insurance coverage. For a straightforward incision and drainage of a smaller-than-average cyst, without any complications, the costs can range from $1,200 to $3,200 without any health insurance coverage. In some cases, however, if the cyst has grown so much it requires surgery at a local hospital, then the costs can surpass the $10,000+ range.
The Pilonidal Support Alliance has a very informative website, explaining the costs, treatment options and any questions you may have in regards to the surgery. According to the cost page, a lancing can cost anywhere from $100 to $400, whereas a flap surgery, being the most expensive option, could cost $10,000+
According to MDSave.com, an online portal which connects you with doctors who list their prices, the MDSave national average, at the time of this publishing, was $1,594, with the national average being reported at $2,772.
One user on Reddit.com shared his costs, stating he paid $700 after his insurance for the surgery and two follow-up visits.
Via Yahoo! Answers, a mother noted she received a $12,000 bill after her child needed surgery in an outpatient center after his cyst grew too large. She recommended that if it was small enough and it’s bothering you now, you will want to have it done at a local doctor’s office to save on the costs.
Additional costs to consider
Tests – Prior to the procedure, routine tests will be required such as a routine blood/urine analysis, chest x-ray and sigmoidoscopy to confirm the surgical procedure and/or if you’re a healthy enough candidate.
Surgeon’s fee – The estimates mentioned above may or may not include the surgeon’s fee, depending on the billing policy. To know, for certain, if the surgeon’s fee is included, be sure to ask the facility ahead of time to be prepared to budget this additional expense. Depending on the surgeon fees, it will greatly depend on the time of surgery you’re having.
Anesthesiologist fee – The anesthesiologist fee, just like the surgeon’s fee, is often a separate charge, but it can be included as well, all again, depending on the billing policy. The anesthesiologist fee, in the end, will depend on the duration of your treatment, the type of anesthesia and the anesthesiologist you use. If it’s performed at a local doctor’s office, using a local anesthetic, then you probably do not need to worry about this charge; however, if performed at a hospital, then you will want to know if the additional charge will exist as these charges are often more than $800 for a typical surgery.
Facility – The surgery center, doctor’s office or hospital could be yet another additional expense you may have to budget for. Again, talk with the surgical center or hospital to know exactly what’s going to be included in the bill and which additional expenses you may have to budget for once you receive your bill in the future. A doctor’s office will always be your cheapest option, whereas a hospital, often required for a complex surgery, will be costlier.
The types of pilonidal cyst options
Lancing: During the lancing procedure, a small incision is created inside of the abscess, allowing the puss and debris inside to drain out of the cyst. When all of the liquid is removed, the cyst is covered with a sterile gauze to heal. According to Pilonidal.org, however, 85 percent of those who get their cysts drain often suffer this condition in the future as the cavity will fill up with puss again.
Marsupialization: This procedure requires a doctor to cut a portion of the skin covering the cyst in question. Then, the edges of the wound are sutured to the base of the wound, leaving the wound open, in the end, to heal naturally. Those who choose this type of procedure will often need a local recovery period in comparison to other removal options, according to Mercola.com.
Incision and drainage: A common option, often performed inside of your local doctor’s office, the surgeon will remove the cyst via an incision, but the wound will not be closed, allowing to heal on its own, which can take up to two or more months. Another method option, involving an incision, will close the wound entirely.
Cleft lift: Developed by Dr. John Bascom, this procedure consists of creating a natal cleft where the cysts are known to grow, lowering the chance of debris and moisture buildup in the future.
Pilonidal cyst side effects
As with any surgeries, you need to know the risks associated with anesthesia use if put under a local anesthesia, including the risk of allergic reactions or the possibility of an overdoge.
After the procedure, there is the possibility of an infection or excessive bleeding if the wound is not taken care of properly.
While treatment options can get rid of the cyst, it does not mean it will not come back in the future. Discuss your chances of the cyst coming back in the future and what you can do personally to prevent it from coming back.
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