Cyst Removal

The method for cyst removal depends on the type and location of the cyst. Cysts can grow inside certain organs, including your lungs, lymphatic system, and kidneys, reports the NIH. It adds that other locations in which cysts can grow include the muscles, liver, brain, and eyes.

Cysts can also grow on your skin. For example, they can develop in areas where acne causes sebaceous glands to become clogged or can grow around debris that gets stuck in your skin.

The NIH says cysts can either be drained or removed with surgery. Cysts that grow outside your body on your skin can usually be drained. Cysts that grow inside your body can also be drained, then removed with surgery.

Cysts on your skin can usually be removed by a skin care doctor, also known as a dermatologist. Cysts located on the inside of your body can be removed by surgeons who specialize in treating the organ where the cyst is located, according to the NIH. Drainage, fine-needle aspiration, surgery, and laparoscopy are common cyst sac removal methods.

Drainage

A cyst that contains pus or fluid is usually drained before it is surgically removed, notes the NIH.

First, your doctor will use a local anesthetic to numb the area around a cyst. Then, according to the University of Texas at Austin, your doctor will use a sharp knife to drain the cyst. Depending on its location, a shunt or fine needle may also be used to drain a cyst, reports the UNC School of Medicine.

After the cyst has been drained, your doctor may fill the abscess with gauze to reduce the risk of infection as it heals.

Fine-needle aspiration

Fine-needle aspiration involves using a fine needle to remove fluid or other materials from the cyst, says the National Cancer Institute. This is one of several drainage methods used to treat a cyst. Fine-needle aspiration is usually performed to drain cysts before removal by surgery.

Surgery

You may need surgery if the cyst is inside your body or if a cyst on your skin is painful or infected, reports the NIH. Surgery to remove a cyst usually involves general or local anesthesia to reduce pain and discomfort associated with the procedure. In addition, your doctor will use a scalpel to remove the cyst and surrounding tissue.

The NIH adds that the abscess may be packed with gauze afterward or that a tube may be placed in the abscess to drain fluid that accumulates after surgery. Your doctor will then remove the tube after the fluid has stopped draining from the wound.

Laparoscopy

Laparoscopy is a surgical procedure that is far less invasive than open surgery. According to the NIH, this cyst removal method is associated with less downtime, a faster recovery, and less scarring than traditional surgery.

First, your doctor will make a tiny incision in your skin near the location of the cyst. Then, a long, thin tube called a laparoscope will be inserted through the incision. The NIH says this tube has a camera at the end that allows your doctor to see the cyst more clearly on a monitor. Your doctor will then surgically remove the cyst and close your incision.

Aftercare and home treatment following cyst removal will depend on the method used to remove your cyst. Your doctor will give you detailed instructions on caring for your wound following your procedure. According to the NIH, aftercare for a cyst may involve changing gauze or bandages and taking your medications as prescribed.

Contact your healthcare provider if you have questions or concerns regarding caring for your abscess following cyst removal.

Removing a cyst at home is not recommended, as it may increase your risk for an infection or permanent scarring. Instead, consult with your healthcare provider for further guidance before trying to remove a cyst at home.

Your doctor may recommend treating your cyst using natural or at-home remedies before using an invasive treatment like surgery. In a case study presented by the NIH, a patient effectively treated her inflamed epidermoid (under the skin) cyst using a topical botanical tincture and herbal supplements, including echinacea, goldenseal, and berberine.

Ask your doctor about home remedies that may be effective at treating your type of cyst.