A Case Report of Wound-Vacuum-Assisted Closure (VAC) Treatment Following Pilonidal Cyst Excision
Jacob Ukleja1, Vladimir Neychev2
1General Surgery, University of Central Florida College of Medicine, Orlando, USA.
Cureus
|August 18, 2025
Summary
This case study highlights vacuum-assisted wound closure (wound-VAC) for treating recurrent pilonidal cysts. The method successfully facilitated healing via secondary intention, offering a potential alternative for complex cases.
Area of Science:
- Surgical Case Reports
- Wound Healing Research
- Dermatological Surgery
Background:
- Pilonidal cysts are common in the sacrococcygeal region, often affecting obese, hirsute males.
- Recurrent cases pose treatment challenges, with optimal management still under investigation.
- Traditional treatments include excision, primary closure, secondary intention, or flap creation.
Observation:
- A 28-year-old male presented with a recurrent pilonidal cyst and chronic sinus tract.
- The patient had undergone previous incision and drainage procedures without lasting success.
- Pilonidal cyst excision followed by vacuum-assisted wound closure (wound-VAC) was performed.
Findings:
- Early granulation tissue formation was observed after two wound-VAC dressing changes.
- Significant reduction in wound size and depth was noted, negating the need for further wound-VAC use.
- The wound healed completely via secondary intention within three weeks with simple gauze dressing.
Implications:
- Vacuum-assisted wound closure (wound-VAC) demonstrates efficacy in managing complex pilonidal cyst recurrences.
- This approach may expedite healing by secondary intention, reducing complications.
- Further research into wound-VAC for pilonidal disease is warranted to establish its role in treatment algorithms.
