Epidermoid Cyst Drainage

Epidermoid cyst drainage is a procedure to drain a fluid-filled sac that forms under your skin (epidermoid cyst). This type of cyst is filled with a thick, oily substance that is secreted by your skin glands. Epidermoid cysts are usually painless. You can often move the cyst under your skin. Sometimes an epidermoid cyst gets inflamed. It may become red, swollen, and painful. In this case, you may need this procedure to drain the cyst and provide relief from the discomfort caused by an inflamed cyst.

Cysts that are treated only with drainage often come back (recur). You may need to have the cyst completely removed after healing from this procedure.

Tell a health care provider about:

• Any allergies you have.

• All medicines you are taking, including vitamins, herbs, eye drops, creams, and over-the-counter medicines.

• Any problems you or family members have had with anesthetic medicines.

• Any blood disorders you have.

• Any surgeries you have had.

• Any medical conditions you have.

• Whether you are pregnant or may be pregnant.

What are the risks?

What happens before the procedure?

• Ask your health care provider about:

  • Changing or stopping your regular medicines. This is especially important if you are taking diabetes medicines or blood thinners.

  • Taking medicines such as aspirin and ibuprofen. These medicines can thin your blood. Do not take these medicines unless your health care provider tells you to take them.

  • Taking over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, herbs, and supplements.

• Ask your heath care provider what steps will be taken to help prevent infection. This may include washing your skin with a germ-killing soap.

What happens during the procedure?

• The skin around the cyst will be injected with a numbing medicine (local anesthetic).

• An incision will be made over the cyst, and the wall of the cyst will be opened.

• A spreading instrument will be used to open up the cyst.

• The contents of the cyst will be removed with suction or irrigation.

• A thin strip of gauze packing may be placed in the cyst to keep it open and draining.

• The incision will be left open, and the cyst will be covered with a bandage (dressing).

The procedure may vary among health care providers and hospitals.

What can I expect after the procedure?

Follow these instructions at home:

Incision care

• Follow instructions from your health care provider about how to take care of your incision. Make sure you:

  • Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds before and after you change your dressing. If soap and water are not available, use hand sanitizer.

  • Change your dressing as told by your health care provider.

  • Do not remove the packing. Do not try to put it back in if it falls out.

  • You may need to return to your health care provider in a few days to have the packing removed.

  • After your packing is removed, follow instructions from your health care provider about how to keep your incision area clean.

• Check your incision area every day for signs of infection. Check for:

  • Redness, swelling, or pain.

  • More fluid or blood.

  • Warmth.

  • Pus or a bad smell.

Contact a health care provider if:

• You have chills or a fever.

• Blood soaks through your dressing.

• You have any signs of infection, especially spreading redness or increased pus coming from the cyst.

Summary

• Epidermoid cyst drainage is a procedure to drain a fluid-filled sac that forms underneath your skin.

• If an epidermoid cyst gets inflamed, you may need to have a procedure to drain the cyst and relieve the discomfort caused by an inflamed cyst. During epidermoid cyst drainage, you will get local anesthesia so the cyst can be opened and the contents removed.

• You may have packing gauze put in the cyst to keep it open and draining.

• If you were prescribed an antibiotic medicine, take it as told by your health care provider. Do not stop taking the antibiotic even if you start to feel better.

• Epidermoid cysts often come back after drainage. You may need to have the cyst removed after you heal from the drainage procedure.

This information is not intended to replace advice given to you by your health care provider. Make sure you discuss any questions you have with your health care provider.