Gips Procedure for Pilonidal Sinus in Pune

Quick answer: The Gips procedure is a minimally invasive surgery for pilonidal sinus where the surgeon removes only the diseased pits and tracts through tiny round openings (using special skin punches called trephines) — no large cut, no stitches, and no overnight stay. Most patients walk out the same day and return to a desk job or college within 2–4 days. I perform this procedure under local or short anaesthesia as a day-care surgery at Sharvari Hospital, Wakad (Pune).

— Dr. Kundan Kharde, Laparoscopic & Laser Surgeon

📞 Talk to a proctology surgeon today: +91 99602 83338

What is a pilonidal sinus, in plain words?

A pilonidal sinus is a small tunnel or pit that forms in the cleft just above your tailbone (the natal cleft, between the buttocks). It usually traps loose hair and dead skin, gets infected, and turns into a painful, swollen lump that may discharge pus or blood. If you’ve been sitting on a “boil near the tailbone” that keeps coming back, that is very likely a pilonidal sinus.

It is especially common in young men aged 18–35, people who sit for long hours (think IT professionals across Hinjewadi and the Wakad–Baner corridor), those with thick body hair, and anyone with a sedentary, sweat-prone routine — which Pune’s humid monsoon months only make worse.

Left untreated, it doesn’t quietly go away. It flares, drains, settles, and flares again — a frustrating loop that the right surgery breaks for good.

Why the Gips procedure is different from traditional surgery

For decades, pilonidal sinus was treated with wide excision — cutting out a large block of skin and tissue. It worked, but it left patients with a big open wound that needed daily dressings for 6–10 weeks, weeks off work, and real pain while sitting.

The Gips procedure (described by Dr. Moshe Gips) flips that approach. Instead of removing healthy tissue, the surgeon targets only the disease:

• The infected pits and tracts are cored out through small circular openings (2–7 mm) using cylindrical skin punches called trephines.
• Trapped hair and unhealthy tissue inside the tunnels are cleaned out.
• The tiny openings are left to heal naturally — no large wound, usually no stitches.

Think of it as keyhole-style precision instead of a big incision. You keep your healthy skin, and recovery is dramatically shorter.

Gips procedure vs. other pilonidal sinus treatments

Factor	Gips Procedure	Laser (SiLaC/EPSiT)	Wide Excision (Open)
Cut size	Tiny punches (2–7 mm)	Tiny, fibre inserted	Large open wound
Stitches	Usually none	None	Often required
Anaesthesia	Local / short	Local / short	Spinal / general
Hospital stay	Day-care (same day)	Day-care	1–2 days
Back to desk work	2–4 days	2–4 days	3–6 weeks
Wound dressing	Minimal	Minimal	Daily, 6–10 weeks
Cosmetic result	Excellent	Excellent	Visible scar

Note: The best technique depends on your anatomy and how extensive the disease is. In some cases, Gips and laser are combined. The surgeon decides this after examining you — not from a price list.

How does the Gips surgery actually work? (Step by step)

1. Examination — I map the pits and tracts after a quick clinical check.
2. Anaesthesia — Local anaesthesia or a short anaesthetic; you’re comfortable and the area is numb.
3. Pit removal — Each midline pit is cored out with a small trephine.
4. Tract cleaning — Side tunnels are cleared of hair and infected tissue through tiny lateral openings.
5. Open healing — The small holes drain and heal from the inside out.
6. Same-day discharge — You go home the same day with simple care instructions.

The whole procedure typically takes 30–45 minutes.

Recovery: what real life looks like after Gips surgery

• Day 0: Home the same day. Mild soreness, easily managed with oral painkillers.
• Day 2–4: Most desk and college-going patients return to normal routine.
• Week 2–4: Small openings progressively close.
• Ongoing: Keep the area clean and hair-free (regular trimming or laser hair reduction over the cleft) — this is the single most important step to prevent it coming back.

You can sit, walk, and travel far more comfortably than after open surgery, because there’s no large wound stretching with every movement.

Is the Gips procedure effective? (The honest numbers)

Yes — and I’ll be straight with you rather than promising a “100% guarantee,” which no ethical surgeon can.

Published studies on the Gips technique report recurrence of roughly 6% in the first year, around 13% at 5 years, and about 16% at 10 years — comparable to or better than many traditional methods, with far less downtime. Most recurrences are linked to hair re-entering the cleft, which is exactly why aftercare and hair control matter so much.

Translation: the surgery does its job well, and your habits afterward decide how durable the result is.

Who is a good candidate?

The Gips procedure suits most people with:

• A first-time or recurrent pilonidal sinus
• Discharging pits without a large active abscess (an abscess is usually drained first)
• A preference for fast recovery and minimal time off work

A large, complex, or heavily infected sinus may need a tailored plan. Learn more on my pilonidal sinus treatment page, or book a consultation for a clear, honest recommendation.

Why choose Dr. Kundan Kharde for pilonidal sinus surgery in Pune

• 17+ years’ experience and 5,000+ surgeries in proctology and laparoscopy — pilonidal sinus is among the conditions I treat most often. (More about me)
• Minimally invasive, day-care focus — I prioritise getting you back to your life quickly.
• Ethical, transparent care — clear advice, no upselling, and an honest conversation about outcomes.
• Operating base: Sharvari Hospital — an ISO 9001:2015 certified, 50-bed surgical hospital in Pimple Nilakh, minutes from Wakad, Baner, Aundh and the Hinjewadi IT corridor.
• Cashless treatment with 50+ insurers.

Pilonidal sinus surgery cost in Pune

Cost depends on the extent of disease, technique used, and your insurance. Many pilonidal sinus surgeries are covered under health insurance on a cashless basis. For an accurate estimate for your case, call us — we’ll explain it plainly before anything is decided.

📞 Get a clear cost estimate and consultation: +91 99602 83338

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Gips procedure painful? The procedure itself is done under anaesthesia, so you don’t feel it. Afterward, most patients describe only mild soreness controlled with simple oral painkillers — far less than open surgery.

How soon can I return to work after Gips surgery? Most people with desk or college routines return within 2–4 days. Jobs involving heavy lifting may need a little longer.

Are there stitches in the Gips procedure? Usually not. The tiny openings are left to heal naturally, which is part of why recovery is so quick.

Will the pilonidal sinus come back? It can recur in a minority of cases, most often when hair re-enters the cleft. Keeping the area clean and hair-free dramatically lowers that risk.

Is the Gips procedure better than laser surgery for pilonidal sinus? Both are excellent minimally invasive options with quick recovery. The better choice depends on your anatomy and disease extent — sometimes they’re combined. A proper examination decides this.

Can I get the Gips procedure done as day-care? Yes — it’s typically a same-day, day-care procedure: admitted and discharged the same day.

Is pilonidal sinus surgery covered by insurance in Pune? In most cases, yes, on a cashless basis with 50+ insurers. Call us and we’ll confirm for your policy.

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Medically reviewed by Dr. Kundan Kharde, Laparoscopic & Laser Surgeon (17+ years, 5,000+ surgeries). This article is for general information and is not a substitute for an in-person consultation.