Why Are There No Pilonidal Specialists in New York City?

The truth is that the intrabuttock location of tailbone-area pilonidal disease leaves the disorder somewhat stigmatized; in essence, embarrassing for the patient and “non- glamorous” for the physician.    Colorectal surgeons, as an example, typically  thought to focus on this part of the body, would much rather be surgically removing colon cancer with the use of a robot—a far more “glamorous” pursuit.  This stigmatization and secondary lack of focus is compounded by the well-known difficulty in successfully achieving a cure for what is initially and incorrectly deemed a “simple” problem.  Having practiced in NYC amongst the most accomplished colorectal surgeons and subsequently seen their respective cleft-lifts, I can assure you that the adage “repetition breeds quality” is ever at play here.  These well-meaning providers simply do not, by choice, see enough pilonidal disease to master its treatment with a well-honed cleft-lift procedure. While NYC is the destination in which most medical diseases can find their cure in high volume, pilondal cyst is not one of them.  Instead, go to where the high volume of cases are seen and, for pilonidal cyst, this is New Jersey!