For many people, a pilonidal cyst begins as an uncomfortable surprise. A painful lump near the tailbone appears, and it seems manageable at first. But what starts as one flare often turns into frequent emergency drainages, wide excision surgeries, and wounds that refuse to close. Patients bounce from urgent care to general surgeons and colorectal specialists, receiving the same outdated treatments.
What's rare to find is a doctor who has dedicated their entire practice to this one condition. With offices in Stanhope and Hoboken, NJ, Pilofix is currently the only dedicated pilonidal disease practice in the Northeastern United States, which might bring relief to patients who have spent years searching but left without resolution.
A Problem That Deserves More Than a Generic Fix
Pilonidal disease affects tens of thousands of Americans every year, yet it is frequently misunderstood and undertreated. This is a chronic infection that develops in the crease of the buttocks near the tailbone. It's commonly handled by general or colorectal surgeons who see it only occasionally, often defaulting to wide excision with high recurrence rates and long-term, morbid wound care routines.
The result is a population of patients, many of whom are young adults and teens, who cycle through repeated procedures, miss school or work, and carry the emotional weight of an ongoing condition. Some travel across state lines just to find a surgeon who understands what they are going through.
Built Around One Disease, With One Goal
Dr. Samuil Rafailov, DO, FACS, a board-certified surgeon with over 15 years of experience, saw this gap firsthand and chose to close it. After watching patients endure repeated failed surgeries and dismissive care from non-specialists, he built Pilonidal Fix around a mission to give every pilonidal patient the treatment and care they deserve.
At Pilofix, they perform cleft lift surgery (also known as the Bascom flap) for pilonidal disease, a technique that reshapes the natal cleft to eliminate the environment where pilonidal disease develops. Unlike wide excisions, the cleft lift boosts cure rates well above 95% in the hands of experienced surgeons, including cases where prior surgeries have failed. Roughly half of the patients Dr. Rafailov sees are salvage cases who are referred only after unsuccessful procedures elsewhere, or patients who have been told there are no more options. For those patients, Pilofix offers another chance to finally close this chapter of their lives.
Beyond the Surgery
What sets Pilofix apart is their care. Patients communicate directly with Dr. Rafailov, not with a coordinator or assistant. Remote consultations, when possible, mean that patients across New Jersey andNew Yorkcan get a real surgical evaluation without the burden of a long drive before they are ready.
In-person care is available in Stanhope, NJ, with additional access points serving multiple New Jersey counties and the Hoboken, NJ area for patients in the greater New York City region. The practice works with a range of insurance plans and provides clear, structured post-operative instructions. For Pilofix, the commitment to a patient does not end after surgery.
A Track Record That Speaks for Itself
Looking ahead, Dr. Rafailov hopes Pilofix will become the most trusted name in pilonidal disease treatment across the country while preserving its boutique model. Plans include expanding educational resources for patients and referring clinicians, refining surgical techniques, and potentially growing the network of affiliated surgeons who share the same vision.
For anyone with recurring pilonidal disease or those who still have a wound that won't heal properly, Pilofix is a reminder that you don't have to keep settling. Expert, dedicated care is available, and it's accessible to those in the Northeast seeking a pilonidal surgeon.
