How big will my wide excision be?

Infections
1

Hi, 

I just have a question about my up coming surgery and to be honest I have gotten mixed answers from my GP and a member of my surgical team. Basically I am going for the wide excision surgery in 6-8week due to my chronic PS issue. The surgeon said that this type of operation was the only option which I understand because of the extent of the issue. But he told me that a massive area of tissue (I mean Massive, 4-5inch acros/length and right down to the bone ) would need to be removed. On researching online I have noticed that there is huge variances between the amount of tissue removed. When I asked him why such a large area had to be removed he said it is fairly standard. So my question is how do they decide how much to remove?? I had a massive abscess that was drained under general anaesthetic (4weeks ago in the UK), is that why such a large area is going to be removed? Is there anything I can do or am I better off just letting the surgeon do his thing? 

History:

3years history of PS with at least 7 infections. 

Conservative treatment was unsuccessful other then getting rid of the small infections. 

26year male, very fit and active.

4 weeks I had a drainage of a abscess, was in hospital for two days due to the severity of the infection, I was operated on and it has really improved after 3 weeks of packing.

I would really appreciate any help anybody could give me as I am self employed and the sooner I can recover the better. Plus rugby season is starting and I want to get back to training. 

Thanks,

Gavin 

2

They usually do it the size of your abscess and then down to your hair shaft 

3

Because the tissue is infected and if they don't get rid of it, it can become infected again 

4

Also scar tissue is a good thing in these cases because it means the PS won’t be likely to come back in that area. I had a 9cm long by 3cm wide and 6cm deep wound after surgery.