Sebaceous Cyst Removal in Pune: Complete Excision of Skin Cysts

What is a sebaceous cyst?

“Sebaceous cyst” is the everyday name for a round lump under the skin filled with a soft, cheesy material. Despite the name, most are not from the oil (sebaceous) glands. They are usually one of two types:

• Epidermoid cyst: the commonest type, found on the face, neck, chest, back and shoulders. It often has a tiny dark opening (punctum) on the surface.
• Pilar (trichilemmal) cyst: usually on the scalp, often several, and sometimes running in families.

A cyst has a thin lining, or sac, that keeps producing material. The cyst can stay the same size for years, slowly enlarge, or become inflamed, red and painful, sometimes bursting and discharging a foul-smelling material.

Who may benefit, and how is a cyst assessed?

Removal is not essential for a small cyst that causes no trouble. People choose removal when a cyst:

• keeps becoming inflamed or infected;
• is growing or visible on the face or neck;
• catches on clothing, a comb or a bra strap;
• has an uncertain appearance.

The doctor examines the lump, checks whether it is attached to the skin and whether there is a punctum, and asks about previous infections. A scan is rarely needed, but may be advised if the lump is deep or unusual.

What are the treatment options?

Option	Suits	Points to consider
Observation	Small, quiet cysts	May enlarge or become infected later
Complete excision with the sac	Most cysts	Lowest chance of return; a fine linear scar
Minimal-incision removal	Selected small, non-inflamed cysts	Smaller scar; sac must still come out completely
Drainage of an infected cyst	Painful, pus-filled cysts	Relieves symptoms, but the cyst often refills; later excision usually needed
Antibiotics	Spreading infection	Do not remove the cyst

A soft, deeper lump may be a lipoma rather than a cyst; see lipoma removal. A cyst-like problem in the cleft between the buttocks is usually a pilonidal sinus; see pilonidal sinus surgery.

How is sebaceous cyst removal performed?

1. Marking: the cyst and any punctum are outlined, and the cut is planned along skin lines.
2. Anaesthesia: local anaesthetic is injected around the cyst.
3. Incision: a small ellipse of skin including the punctum is cut.
4. Removal: the cyst is separated and lifted out whole with its sac.
5. Closure: the skin is closed with fine stitches, and a dressing is applied.
6. Laboratory examination of the cyst.

How should you prepare, and what should you ask?

• Do not squeeze or pierce the cyst.
• If the cyst is inflamed, mention it when booking; surgery may be postponed until it settles.
• Tell the doctor about blood thinners and supplements.

Questions to ask:

• Is this a cyst or another type of lump?
• Can it be removed now, or should the inflammation settle first?
• How long will the scar be?

What is recovery like?

Time	What to expect for most patients
Day 1	Mild soreness; most people return to normal activities the next day
Days 1-2	Keep the dressing dry
Days 5-14	Stitches removed: earlier on the face, later on the back
Months 3-12	The scar fades and softens

What are the risks?

• Infection, more likely if the cyst was recently inflamed.
• Bleeding or bruising.
• Scarring, sometimes wider on the back and shoulders.
• Recurrence, if any of the sac is left behind.
• Wound opening, uncommon.

Contact the doctor for increasing redness, swelling, pus or fever after surgery.

What results can you expect?

When the whole sac is removed, the cyst is unlikely to return, and most people are left with a fine scar. Some people form cysts easily and may develop new ones in other places.

What happens if a sebaceous cyst is left untreated?

Many cysts can safely be left alone. A skin cyst grows slowly, if at all, and may stay the same size for years. Skin cysts are not cancerous. The main risk of waiting is a flare: the cyst becomes red, swollen and painful, and may burst through the skin. An inflamed cyst usually has to settle before it can be removed, and removal after infection is more likely to leave a wider scar.

If you choose to wait:

• do not squeeze or pierce the cyst, as this can cause or spread infection;
• watch for growth, or for catching on a comb, collar or strap;
• see a doctor promptly if the lump becomes red, sore or hot.

Antibiotics or drainage settle an infected cyst but leave the sac in place, so it often refills. Removal is usually simplest while the cyst is quiet.

Common myths about sebaceous cysts

• “A home paste or poultice will dissolve the cyst.” Pastes and creams cannot remove the lining, and picking at a cyst makes infection more likely.
• “A cyst should be cut out while it is red and swollen.” Removal is usually planned after the inflammation settles, when the sac can be taken out whole.
• “Skin cysts are catching.” You cannot get a cyst from someone who has one, although some types run in families.
• “A lump on the scalp must be something serious.” Scalp lumps of this kind are usually pilar cysts, which are benign.

What affects the cost of sebaceous cyst removal in Pune?

• Number, size and site of cysts.
• Whether the cyst is inflamed and needs treatment first.
• Laboratory examination of the removed tissue.
• Dressings and follow-up visits.