GIPS surgery, also known as the Gips procedure or pit-picking, is a minimally invasive surgical technique used to treat pilonidal disease.
Understanding GIPS Surgery
GIPS surgery involves the following key steps:
- Draining Abscesses: If present, any abscesses associated with the pilonidal disease are drained.
- Removing Sinus Tracts: The sinus tracts, which are small channels in the skin that characterize the disease, are removed.
- Removing Infected Tissue: The surrounding infected tissue is also removed using punch biopsy tools.
Key Features of GIPS Surgery
- Minimally Invasive: The procedure is performed using small tools, minimizing trauma to the surrounding tissue.
- Outpatient Procedure: It is typically an outpatient operation, meaning patients can go home the same day.
- General Anesthesia: The procedure is performed under general anesthesia to ensure patient comfort.
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Procedure Type | Minimally invasive |
| Tools Used | Punch biopsy tools (also called pit-picking tools) |
| Anesthesia Type | General |
| Setting | Outpatient (typically completed in an operating room) |
| Target Condition | Pilonidal disease |
Advantages of GIPS Surgery
- Reduced recovery time: Due to its minimally invasive nature, patients tend to recover faster compared to more extensive surgeries.
- Smaller scars: The small tools used in the procedure lead to smaller and less visible scars.
In summary
GIPS surgery is a minimally invasive surgical option for treating pilonidal disease by draining abscesses, removing sinus tracts and surrounding infected tissue using punch biopsy tools. It is typically an outpatient procedure under general anesthesia.
