The Hair in the Sinus: Sharp-Ended Rootless Head Hair Fragments can be Found in Large Amounts in Pilonidal Sinus Nests

Outcome After Surgical Treatment for Chronic Pilonidal Sinus Disease: A Systematic Review of Common Surgical Techniques

BACKGROUND

The choice of operation for chronic pilonidal sinus disease remains controversial.

OBJECTIVE

To compare the outcomes of common operations for chronic pilonidal disease.

DATA SOURCES

We searched PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library.

STUDY SELECTION

We included randomized trials in English or Danish language, published 2002 to 2024 that compared outcomes of operations to treat chronic pilonidal disease in adults and teenagers.

INTERVENTIONS

We compared the outcomes of secondary healing, primary midline closure, Bascom, Limberg, and Karydakis flap operations.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

The primary outcome was recurrence; secondary outcomes were infection, healing time, and length of stay. We compared recurrence and infection rates in meta-analyses for all techniques. We assessed the risk of bias and the quality of all trials.

RESULTS

Fifty trials included a total of 5762 participants. In a meta-analysis, the flap operations had fewer recurrences than primary midline closure (OR 0.31; 95% CI, 0.19-0.51; p < 0.01). The trials comparing flap operations with secondary healing were heterogeneous and did not reach significance (OR 0.38; 95% CI, 0.13-1.13; p = 0.08). Recurrence was similar between Limberg and Karydakis operations. Infection rates were lower for the flap operations compared with primary closure (OR 0.33; 95% CI, 0.23-0.48; p < 0.01) and with secondary healing (OR 0.48; 95% CI, 0.30-0.77; p < 0.01). Two trials tested Bascom procedure against Limberg operation without significant differences. All trials found secondary healing to have significantly longer healing times than any other operation.

LIMITATIONS

Most studies had a high or medium risk of bias, resulting in very low to low certainty of evidence. The trials generally had small numbers, short follow-ups, and no reported primary outcomes or power calculations.

CONCLUSIONS

Primary closure and secondary healing performed poorly compared with the flap techniques. Most trials tested Limberg operation; only 2 tested Bascom operation. The literature suggests the surgeon's expertise determines the choice of flap technique.

Management of pilonidal sinus and recurrences in 2025

Pilonidal sinus is a common pathology of the intergluteal cleft that can develop into abscess or suppuration. This lesion corresponds histologically to a granuloma that organizes around foreign bodies, most often hairs, and fistulizes to the skin through partially epithelialized orifices. If suppuration and abscess develop, treatment is based either on medical treatment combining analgesics, local antiseptics and sometimes antibiotics, or on emergency incision and drainage in the operating room. This is performed in more than 10,000 patients per year in France. Outside of emergencies, elective surgery for pilonidal sinus is indicated to treat bothersome symptoms or to avoid the risk of recurrent abscess. The surgical indication must take into account the patient's risk factors, particularly active smoking, that increase the risk of postoperative complications and recurrence. Elective intervention is performed on more than 30,000 patients per year in France. Radical excision followed by secondary healing is the most commonly performed option. This strategy carries a risk of failure or recurrence for at least 10% of patients. Primary closure after excision can reduce the time for healing and convalescence, but at the cost of more frequent infectious complications. Midline closure should be avoided, in favor of paramedian or flap closure. Minimally invasive techniques are being developed that combine the extraction of foreign bodies and mechanical debridement or thermal or chemical cautery of the granulomatous walls. They avoid complex and unpleasant nursing care of secondarily healing wounds, at the cost of a recurrence rate equivalent to that from excision techniques. They have the merit of avoiding difficult situations of failure to heal or recurrence after radical excision that are associated with a clear deterioration in the quality of life. The treatment of surgical failures is complex, and combines comprehensive patient care (smoking cessation, anti-infectious treatments, treatment of excess weight, avoidance of a sedentary lifestyle) and often a repeat operation. Minimally invasive treatments, particularly laser treatments, have their place in these difficult situations.

Intergluteal fold depth has no influence on pilonidal sinus disease development

Objective

The etiology of primary pilonidal sinus disease (PSD) remains unclear. Prior investigations suggest that sharp fragments from the occiput contribute to the formation of PSD. In 2009 a correlation between PSD and a deeper natal cleft was reported. We investigated the association between intergluteal fold (IGF) depth and PSD risk using a standardized five-step measuring protocol.

Material and Methods

Our clinical prospective study included 95 PSD patients and 105 non-PSD individuals, and measurements were taken from the glabella sacralis to the anus in a northern German population.

Results

The mean (± standard deviation) intergluteal depth progressively increased from the intergluteal opening from the sacral glabella at 9.1 (±3.4) mm to a maximum of 62.6 (±10.4) mm. Notably, the deepest point was consistently observed at the anus, where PSD occurrence is rare. No significant difference in IGF depth between PSD and non-PSD patients was found. Additionally, PSD predominantly developed in the proximal (cranial) third of the IGF, despite the maximum depth being in the distal region.

Conclusion

These findings suggest that IGF depth is not a risk factor for PSD.

Concurrent pilonidal sinus of the nape of the neck and sacrococcygeal region

The most common site for a pilonidal sinus is the sacrococcygeal region, typically affecting hirsute males. Hair entrapment beneath the skin triggers a granulomatous reaction, leading to the formation of a sinus tract. Here, we present a rare case of concurrent pilonidal abscess in both the nape of the neck and the natal cleft. To date, only five similar cases have been reported in the literature, making this presentation unique.The patient, in his mid-30s, presented with recurrent swelling and discharging sinuses in both the nape of the neck and the intergluteal region. The surgical intervention included excision of the sinus tract in the neck and wide local excision with Limberg flap reconstruction in the sacrococcygeal region.One year post-surgery, the patient showed complete healing with no recurrence observed during follow-up.

Time trends in incidence of pilonidal sinus disease from 1996 to 2021: A Danish population-based cohort study

AIM

Pilonidal sinus disease (PSD) is a common condition, but no data on disease occurrence exist outside highly selected settings. The aim of this study was to assess time trends in the incidence of PSD in a nationwide setting.

METHOD

Using data from nationwide Danish registries, we identified 48 247 patients recorded with diagnostic or surgical procedure codes representing PSD between 1996 and 2021. We stratified by sex and computed the age-adjusted and age-specific incidence rate, comparing 5-year intervals with the incidence rate ratio (IRR).

RESULTS

The overall incidence of PSD increased from 26.1 to 39.6/100 000 person-years (PY) from the period 1996-2000 to the period 2016-2021 (IRR 1.52, 95% CI 0.78-2.94). The incidence increased from 35.8 to 56.9/100 000 PY (IRR 1.59, 95% CI 0.52-4.89) in male patients and from 16.4 to 22.5/100 000 PY (IRR 1.37, 95% CI 0.68-2.76) in female patients. The peak of age-specific incidence was 215.7/100 000 PY (95% CI 206.1-245.4) among 20-year-old men and 107.9/100.000 PY (95% CI 100.0-114.0) among 18-year-old women. Over the study period, the median age at first hospital contact decreased from 27 years [interquartile range (IQR) 22-34 years) to 25 years (IQR 20-34 years) in men but remained stable around 23 years (IQR 18-32 years) in women. However, for both sexes, the highest increase in incidence was seen in early adolescence.

CONCLUSION

The incidence of PSD has increased significantly over the last decades. The increase is driven primarily by men and boys, with the highest increase in incidence seen in early adolescence. The increased burden of disease is not reflected in the literature, and more studies are warranted to understand the drivers of this development.

Negative Pressure Dressing Versus Conventional Passive Dressing in Pilonidal Surgery: A Randomized Controlled Trial

INTRODUCTION

Surgically treated pilonidal sinus disease (PSD) has high rates of postoperative wound complications, with surgical wound dehiscence (SWD) rates up to 44%. Negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) is proposed to reduce rates of SWD for other high risk surgical wounds. Our aim was to investigate whether NPWT would reduce rates of SWD compared to conventional passive (CP) dressings for PSD excisions with off-midline primary closure. Our secondary outcomes included patient quality of life and time taken return to normal activities.

METHOD

We performed a prospective, crossover pediatric/adult randomized controlled trial for patients (12-40 y) with PSD, requiring excision and off-midline primary closure. Participants were randomized to receive a CP (Primapore or Opsite) or NPWT (SNAP) dressing. Follow-up occurred on D3, D7, D10, D14 and then weekly until wound healing. Patients were sent a 2-month postoperative online survey to assess quality of life outcomes.

RESULTS

Fifty patients were recruited, 25 to NPWT & 25 to CP. Mean age and body mass index were 22.6 ± 6.7 y and 26.1 ± 4.5 kg/m2, respectively. 36/50 (76%) were male. The overall dehiscence rate was 42% (21/50); 12/25 (48%) for NPWT & 9/25 (36%) for CP, P = 0.6. Five deep (≥5 mm) SWDs occurred in each group, P > 0.9. SWD was associated with increased excision dimensions in the NPWT group only, P = 0.03. Median duration to wound healing was equivalent in nondehisced wounds, (CP 21.0 [14.0-29.5] versus NPWT 21.0 [16.0-24.0] days, P = 0.7). There were no differences in mean time to the following: return to school/work (NPWT 26.1 ± 18.2 versus CP 29.3 ± 14.7 d, P = 0.6), sit normally (NPWT 22.3 ± 16.2 versus CP 20.1 ± 9.4 d, P = 0.7), or return to physical activity (NPWT21.6 ± 17.2 versus CP40.3 ± 2.4 d, P = 0.2).

CONCLUSIONS

NPWT did not improve outcomes after excision of PSD with off-midline primary closure. Despite the limited population size, our results do not support its use as a routine preventative measure.

Long-term outcomes after cleft lift surgery for pilonidal sinus disease in post-pubertal adolescents: data from a prospective Danish cohort

AIM

Pilonidal sinus disease (PSD) is a common condition. Despite a relatively large proportion of patients presenting as post-pubertal adolescents, only small cohorts focusing on this PSD subcategory have been published, and surgical treatment remains challenging.

METHOD

The study is based on a prospective database established at Randers Regional Hospital in 2016. All patients undergoing Bascom's cleft lift (BCL) surgery from June 2016 until June 2020 were included in this study, focusing on patients ≤18 years of age comparing them to adult patients. Indications for BCL surgery were primary extensive manifestation, non-healing disease after previous elective surgery or disease recurrence.

RESULTS

In total, n = 380 PSD patients were operated, of which n = 79 were post-pubertal adolescents with a median age at time of surgery of 17.2 years (interquartile range 16.3, 18.0). Sixty-six (84%) were boys. Twenty-seven (34%) presented with primary extensive manifestation, 34 (43%) due to non-healing wounds and 18 (23%) due to recurrence. Fifty-four patients (69%) healed uneventfully. There was no difference between the indications of surgery groups in terms of overall healing or time to healing if prolonged (P = 0.6). The median follow-up was 62 months (interquartile range 48, 73), with a 5-year recurrence rate of 19%, compared to 17% (P = 0.6) in the adult population.

CONCLUSION

Our study is the first to investigate long-term clinical outcomes of BCL surgery for PSD in post-pubertal adolescent patients. Recurrences seem to occur more frequently compared to adults. However, we demonstrate that post-pubertal adolescent patients with advanced PSD can be treated with BCL surgery with acceptable outcomes.

Genome-Wide Association Study Identifies Genes for Hair Growth and Patterning are Associated With Pilonidal Disease

BACKGROUND

Pilonidal sinus disease is a highly morbid condition characterized by the formation of chronic sinus tracts throughout the sacrococcygeal region. Despite its commonality and strong association with family history, no prior investigation of genetic risk factors for pilonidal sinus disease exists.

OBJECTIVE

To identify genetic risk factors for pilonidal sinus disease.

DESIGN

A genome-wide association study.

SETTINGS

The United Kingdom Biobank, FinnGen Biobank, and Penn Medicine BioBank.

PATIENTS

There were 772,072 participants.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE

Genome-wide significant variants ( p < 5 × 10 -8 ) were mapped to genes using physical distance and gene expression in skin. Genetic correlation between pilonidal sinus disease and morphometric, androgen-driven, and hair phenotypes was estimated with linkage disequilibrium score regression. Finally, a genome-first approach to rare predicted deleterious variants in hair shaft genes TCHH , PADI3 , and TGM3 was conducted for association with pilonidal sinus disease via the Penn Medicine BioBank.

RESULTS

A genome-wide association study comprising 2835 individuals with pilonidal sinus disease identified 5 genome-wide significant loci, prioritizing HDAC9, TBX15, WARS2, RP11-293M10.1 , PRKAR1B , TWIST1, GPATCH2L, NEK9 , and EIF2B2 , as putative causal genes; several of these genes have known roles in balding and hair patterning. There was a significant correlation between the genetic background of pilonidal sinus disease and the androgen-driven hair traits of male pattern baldness and young age at first facial hair. In a candidate analysis of genes associated with syndromic hair disorders, rare coding variants in TCHH , a monogenic cause of uncombable hair syndrome, were associated with increased prevalence of pilonidal sinus disease (OR 4.81 [95% CI, 2.06-11.2]).

LIMITATIONS

This study is limited to European ancestry. However, because there is a higher incidence of pilonidal sinus disease in men of European ancestry, this analysis is focused on the at-risk population.

CONCLUSIONS

Genetic analysis of pilonidal sinus disease identified shared genetic architecture with hair biology and androgen-driven traits. As the first study investigating the genetic basis of pilonidal sinus disease, this provides biological insight into the long-appreciated connection between the disease state, male sex, and hair. See Video abstract.

UN ESTUDIO DE ASOCIACIN DEL GENOMA COMPLETO IDENTIFICA GENES DEL CRECIMIENTO Y EL PATRN DEL PELO ASOCIADOS A LA ENFERMEDAD PILONIDAL

ANTECEDENTES:La enfermedad del seno pilonidal es una condición muy mórbida caracterizada por la formación de tractos sinusales crónicos en toda la región sacrococcígea. A pesar de su frecuencia y su fuerte asociación con los antecedentes familiares, no se han investigado previamente los factores de riesgo genéticos de la enfermedad sinusal pilonidal.OBJETIVO:Identificar factores genéticos de riesgo para la enfermedad del seno pilonidal.DISEÑO:Estudio de asociación de genoma completo.CONJUNTOS:Biobanco del Reino Unido, Biobanco FinnGen y Biobanco PennMedicine.PACIENTES:772.072 participantes.MEDIDA DE RESULTADO PRINCIPAL:Las variantes significativas en todo el genoma (p < 5x10-8) se asignaron a genes utilizando la distancia física y la expresión génica en la piel. La correlación genética entre la enfermedad del seno pilonidal y los fenotipos morfométricos, androgénicos y de cabello se estimó con regresión de puntuación LD. Por último, se realizó una aproximación genómica a variantes deletéreas raras predichas en los genes del tallo piloso TCHH, PADI3 y TGM3 para su asociación con la enfermedad del seno pilonidal a través del Biobanco PennMedicine.RESULTADOS:El estudio de asociación de todo el genoma, que incluyó a 2.835 individuos con enfermedad del seno pilonidal, identificó 5 loci significativos en todo el genoma, dando prioridad a HDAC9, TBX15, WARS2, RP11-293M10.1, PRKAR1B, TWIST1, GPATCH2L, NEK9 y EIF2B2, como genes causales putativos; varios de estos genes tienen funciones conocidas en la calvicie y el patrón del cabello. Se observó una correlación significativa entre los antecedentes genéticos de la enfermedad del seno pilonidal y los de los rasgos calvicie de patrón masculino y edad temprana del primer vello facial impulsados por andrógenos. En un análisis de genes candidatos asociados a trastornos capilares sindrómicos, las variantes raras de codificación en TCHH, una causa monogénica del síndrome capilar incombustible, se asociaron a una mayor prevalencia de la enfermedad del seno pilonidal (OR 4,81 [IC del 5%, 2,06-11,2]).LIMITACIONES:Este estudio se limita a la ascendencia europea. Sin embargo, debido a que hay una mayor incidencia de la enfermedad sinusal pilonidal en los hombres de ascendencia europea, este análisis se centra en la población de riesgo.CONCLUSIÓN:El análisis genético de la enfermedad del seno pilonidal identificó una arquitectura genética compartida con la biología del cabello y los rasgos impulsados por andrógenos. Siendo el primer estudio que investiga las bases genéticas de la enfermedad del seno pilonidal, esto proporciona una visión biológica de la conexión, apreciada desde hace tiempo, entre el estado de la enfermedad, el sexo masculino y el cabello. (Traducción-Dr. Aurian Garcia Gonzalez ).

Terminal Hairs That Resemble Occipital Hairs in Pilonidal Sinus Disease: A Case Report

This is the first demonstrated case in which terminal hairs that resembled occipital hairs and ranged from 2 to 13 cm in length were extracted from a patient with primary pilonidal sinus disease. This case provides evidence that occipital hairs may enter the pilonidal sinus and perhaps also play a role in the pathogenesis of the disease.

A survey of treatment preferences of UK surgeons in the treatment of pilonidal sinus disease

AIM

Pilonidal sinus is a common surgical condition which impacts a young and economically active population. There are limited data to guide treatment in this condition. The aim of this work was to assess current practice.

METHOD

A survey was developed as part of the PITSTOP study. It included questions on volume of practice, treatment preferences and training. The survey was delivered to consultant surgeons with a UK practice through social media, specialty surgical societies and through PITSTOP sites. Descriptive statistics were reported.

RESULTS

Of the 200 people who received a link to the questionnaire, 109 completed it (response rate 54.5%). Respondents treated a median of 15 patients per year, with 20% of these having recurrent disease. Estimates of recurrence were higher than reported in the literature and higher than in a survey 10 years ago. Nearly 50% of surgeons advocate nonsurgical treatment in some patients despite limited evidence. Two thirds practised interventions not favoured by guidelines, including excision and leave open and midline closure techniques. Invasive procedures tended to be favoured when minimally invasive procedures may be appropriate. Surgical training programmes were the key training setting for commonly offered procedures, with few other training opportunities reported. For some procedures, no formal training had been given.

CONCLUSION

This survey highlights issues with quality in pilonidal surgery in the UK, with persistence of potentially outdated techniques, no consistent treatment escalation plan, a suggestion of under- or overtreatment of disease and a high perception of failure. This may relate to the current system of training and lack of evidence-based guidance.

Management of Pilonidal Disease: A Review

Importance

The management of pilonidal disease continues to be a challenge due to high rates of recurrence and treatment-associated morbidity.

Observations

There is a heterogeneous repertoire of treatment modalities used in the management of pilonidal disease and wide practice variation among clinicians. Available treatment options vary considerably in their level of invasiveness, associated morbidity and disability, risks of complications, and effectiveness at preventing disease recurrence. Conservative nonoperative management strategies, including persistent improved hygiene, depilation, and lifestyle modification, focus on disease prevention and minimization of disease activity. Epilation techniques using both laser and intense pulse light therapy are also used as primary and adjunct treatment modalities. Other nonoperative treatment modalities include phenol and fibrin injection to promote closure of pilonidal sinuses. The traditional operative management strategy for pilonidal disease involves excision of affected tissue paired with a variety of closure types including primary midline closure, primary off-midline closure techniques (ie, Karydakis flap, Limberg flap, Bascom cleft lift), and healing by secondary intention. There has been a recent shift toward more minimally invasive operative approaches including sinusectomy (ie, trephination or Gips procedure) and endoscopic approaches. Overall, the current evidence supporting the different treatment options is limited by study quality with inconsistent characterization of disease severity and use of variable definitions and reporting of treatment-associated outcomes across studies.

Conclusions and Relevance

Pilonidal disease is associated with significant physical and psychosocial morbidity. Optimal treatments will minimize disease and treatment-associated morbidity. There is a need for standardization of definitions used to characterize pilonidal disease and its outcomes to develop evidence-based treatment algorithms.

Pilonidal sinus laser-assisted closure (PiLAC) - a low-morbidity alternative to excision with excellent long-term outcomes

INTRODUCTION

Recurrence after surgery for pilonidal sinus disease is a recognised problem and patients often re-present months after discharge. We routinely treat primary and recurrent pilonidal sinus disease with Pilonidal sinus Laser-Assisted Closure (PiLAC). Long-term outcomes following PiLAC surgery was examined following clinical and telephone review.

METHODS

All patients undergoing PiLAC as a day-case between April 2016 and July 2019 were included. Patients were followed up in a nurse-led clinic until complete healing or recurrence. A prospective database and retrospective audit of notes combined with longer-term follow-up by telephone were used.

RESULTS

A total of 35 patients underwent PiLAC, median age 28 (18-53 years), 28 males:7 females. A total of 28 patients had long-term (>60 days) follow-up, mean 407 days (range 67-887 days); 25/28 patients (89.3%) had healed with no recurrence on long-term follow-up. Of these 28 patients, 11 were first presentation of pilonidal disease and underwent PiLAC as their first treatment, with a 91% heal rate long term. A total of 15 patients had seton drainage prior to PiLAC, with a 93% heal rate versus no seton (83%). Fisher's exact test showed no significant difference between sex, new/recurrent pilonidal disease and seton placement (p>0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Healing after PiLAC for the treatment of primary and recurrent pilonidal sinus disease is preserved with excellent long-term outcomes. We recommend it as an alternative to surgical excision.

Pilonidal sinus disease: a 25-year experience and long-term results of different surgical techniques

Background

The incidence of pilonidal disease is increasing. The choice of surgical approach differs between surgeons and countries. With better understanding of the etiology of the disease, there is a shift toward more successful concepts of treatment. In many cases, management can be challenging owing to the number of previous failed operations.

Objective

The aim of this retrospective single-center cohort study was to compare recurrence rates and postoperative wound complications between five treatment arms.

Methods

A total of 299 patients who underwent surgery for pilonidal disease between November 1994 and May 2019 were included. Primary endpoint was time to recurrence, secondary endpoint was wound care complication rate.

Results

Median follow-up was 85.8 months in 286 patients. An overall recurrence rate of 16.1% was observed at 24 months, 21.4% at 60 months, and 47.4% at 303 months; 24 months postoperatively, there was a range from 10.5% for excision with primary midline closure to 30.0% for the Bascom I procedure. Recurrence in excision with primary midline closure was 71.8% 268 months postoperatively. No statistically significant differences were observed between the five groups (p = 0.54). The highest prevalence of wound complications (46.3%) was in excision with midline closure. Cox regression showed that previous pilonidal operations are an independent prognostic factor for developing recurrence (p = 0.006). Multivariate logistic regression revealed that previous pilonidal operations have a significant predictive value for developing postoperative wound complications (odds ratio = 4.04, 95% confidence interval [1.61–10.18]; p = 0.003).

Conclusion

In order to improve surgical outcomes, emphasis should be given to adoption of techniques with high success rates.

Outcomes of Sinus Laser Therapy in Sacrococcygeal Pilonidal Sinus Disease: A Single-Center Experience

Sacrococcygeal pilonidal sinus disease (SPND) is an acquired chronic disease with no precise etiopathogenesis. The morbidity associated with the disease necessitates the implementation of new techniques, such as sinus laser therapy (SiLaT), to improve disease management. However, surgical techniques as of now are preferred as the mainstay mode of treatment.

A retrospective study was conducted to evaluate and report the healing outcome of the application of SiLaT on patients with SPND at a tertiary center. All patients who underwent SiLaT for primary or recurrent pilonidal sinus from February 2012 to December 2019 were included in the study and followed up for at least six months. Forty-one participants (37 males (90.2%) and four females (9.8%)) were included. Of the participants, 58.5% presented with chief complaints of painful swelling with mucopurulent discharge. Most of the participants were students (43.9%). SiLaT was the primary intervention for 82.9% of the participants. The mean duration of hospital stays, resumption of regular activity, and complete wound healing by secondary intention were 30±21.5 hours, 18.4±14.3 days, and 6.5±6.6 weeks, respectively. Around 95.1% of wounds healed without complications. The overall recurrence rate was 24.4%, while the recurrence rate with SiLaT being the primary intervention was 11.8%. Only three (7.32%) patients experienced wound infections as postoperative complications. The visual analog scale (VAS) score decreased postoperatively in the first and second weeks to 3.9±3.2 and 1.9±1.9, respectively, and 78.1% of the total patients showed satisfaction post-surgical interventions. The current study showed that the SiLaT technique is a feasible technology with promising results to evolve. Further studies are encouraged.

Radiological, Clinical, and Histological Findings in the Treatment of Pilonidal Sinus with Phenol Injection

Objective:

Sacrococcygeal pilonidal disease is a chronic discharging wound that causes pain and loss of quality of life. Phenol application is an outpatient procedure with low complications and low recurrence rates. We evaluated the radiological, histological, and clinical results of phenol application.

Methods:

A total of 44 consecutive patients with sacrococcygeal pilonidal disease underwent phenol application in Kocaeli University Faculty of Medicine, General Surgery Clinic between December 2015 and March 2017. Demographics, complaints, symptom duration, and the number of sinuses were recorded. Patients were examined using ultrasonography (USG) before surgery and two months after surgery. Four patients who wanted rhomboid excision and Limberg flap procedure underwent preoperative local phenol application and were excluded from the study. The excised tissues were used for pathological evaluation.

Results:

Purulent discharge was the leading symptom. All of the patients had hair in the preoperative USG evaluation, whereas five patients had still hairs in the sinuses in the postoperative USG examination. Four of these cases had recurrences on a 2-month follow-up. After phenol application, a 10% volume decrease was observed. Pathological examination was performed in four cases with phenol application, and in pathological material, the sinuses looked sclerotic and fibrotic.

Conclusions:

Our study revealed that a single phenol application achieved 90% success. However, no significant difference was observed in the cavity volume after phenol injection.

German National Guideline on the management of pilonidal disease: update 2020

BACKGROUND

The present German National Guideline is an updated version of previous Guideline published in 2014. It aims to compare various treatment methods and to assist physicians with evidence-based recommendations.

METHODS

Systemic literature review.

RESULTS

Three types of disease manifestation could be differentiated: asymptomatic disease, an acute abscess, and the chronic pilonidal disease. At present, there is no treatment method fulfilling all desired criteria: simple, painless procedure associated with rapid wound healing, and low recurrence rate. Thus, treatment modality should be tailored to disease manifestation and extent.

CONCLUSION

Asymptomatic pilonidal disease should not be treated. A pilonidal abscess should be unroofed. After resolution of the acute inflammation, the disease should be treated definitely. As for today, sinus excision is the standard treatment of the chronic pilonidal disease. Wide excision and open treatment of chronic disease is a safe procedure which, however, leads to prolonged secondary healing and time off-work, as well as to considerable recurrence rate. The extent of excision should be as limited as possible. Excision and midline wound closure is associated with impaired outcomes. Today, it has become obsolete. Minimally invasive procedures (e.g., pit picking surgery) represent a treatment option for chronic pilonidal disease. However, the recurrence rate is higher compared to excision procedures. Nevertheless, they may be used for small primary disease. Off-midline procedures should be used for disease not suitable for minimally invasive treatments. The Limberg flap and the Karydakis procedure are two best described methods which are associated with similar short- and long-term results.

Risk factors in the prognosis of flap techniques for pilonidal sinus disease based on magnetic resonance imaging and clinical parameters

BACKGROUND

Postoperative complications and recurrence are major diffficulties in the flap techniques for the treatment of pilonidal sinus (PS), however, the risk factors remain unclear. While magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) offers the highest soft tissue resolution, few studies have applied MRI to investigate the basic parameters of PS.

METHODS

A total of 100 patients receiving Limberg flap (LF) or Karydakis flap (KF) surgery at the Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University were retrospectively analyzed, and the median follow-up period was 42 (range, 20-90) months. We performed a multivariate logistic analysis on the clinicopathological parameters and MRI data to identify risk factors for complications and recurrence.

RESULTS

The basic parameters of PS were obtained by MRI analysis. The multivariate analysis revealed a large longitudinal sinus diameter (OR = 1.020, 95%CI = 1.000-1.041) and sacrococcygeal dermal thickness (OR = 1.680, 95%CI = 1.142-2.472) to be independent risk factors for early complications. Meanwhile, a small sacrococcygeal fat thickness (OR = 0.923, 95%CI = 0.864-0.987) and a high BMI (OR = 1.291, 95%CI = 1.067-1.563) are independent risk factors for late complications and recurrence, respectively.

CONCLUSION

We used MRI to measure the basic parameters of PS accurately, including size, volume, location and some key points of the surrounding tissues, and identified, besides the selection of surgical approach, some specific basic parameters of PS might be the risk factors for complications and recurrence after flap techniques.

Gender-specific prevalence of pilonidal sinus disease over time: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Gender-specific risk factors have been suggested to promote a fourfold higher incidence of pilonidal sinus disease (PSD) in male as compared to female patients. However, in recent decades there has been an apparent shift towards an increasing prevalence of PSD in women, as body weight and other risk factors influence the disease. We aimed at determining whether PSD prevalence actually changed in men and women over time.

METHODS

Following PRISMA guidelines (PROSPERO ID: 42016051588), databases were systematically searched. Papers reporting on PSD published between 1833 and 2018 in English, French, German, Italian and Spanish containing precise numbers of male and female participants were selected for analysis. Gender-specific prevalence of PSD over several decades was the main outcome measure.

RESULTS

We screened 679 studies reporting on 104 055 patients and found that the male/female ratio in patients with PSD has remained constant over time, with women being affected in about 20% of all PSD cases (I²  = 96.18%; meta-regression p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

While the prevalence of PSD has risen over the past decades, the ratio between affected males and affected females has remained constant, with women invariably representing about 20% of patients despite wide ranging socioeconomic and behavioural changes.

Laying Open and Curettage under Local Anesthesia to Treat Pilonidal Sinus: Long-Term Follow-Up in 111 Consecutively Operated Patients

(1) Background: Several techniques for the treatment of pilonidal sinus disease (PSD) are in vogue, though none have emerged as the gold standard. Laying open (deroofing) and curettage under local anesthesia is one of the most straightforward procedures to treat PSD. In this study, the long-term follow-up in a large series was analyzed. (2) Methods: The laying open approach was performed for all types of consecutive PSD patients-simple, complicated, and abscess. The primary outcome parameter of the study was the healing rate. The secondary outcome parameters were operating time, hospital stay, time to resumption of normal work, and healing time. (3) Results: 111 (M/F-92/19, mean age-22.9 ± 5.7 years) consecutive patients were operated on and followed for 38 months (6-111 months). Of these, 24 had pilonidal abscesses, 87 had chronic pilonidal disease, while 22 had recurrent disease. Operating time and hospital stay were 24 ± 7 min and 66 ± 23 min, respectively. On average, patients could resume normal work in 3.6 ± 2.9 days and the healing time was 43.8 ± 7.4 days. Three patients were lost to follow-up. Complete resolution of the disease occurred in 104/108 (96.3%) patients, while 4 (3.7%) had a recurrence. One recurrence was due to a missed tract, while three recurrences presented after complete healing had occurred. Two patients with recurrence were operated on again with the same procedure, and both healed completely. Thus, the overall success rate of this procedure was 98.1% (106/108) with a recurrence rate after first surgery of 3.7% over a median follow-up of 38 months. (4) Conclusions: Pilonidal disease managed by laying open (deroofing) with curettage under local anesthesia is associated with a high cure rate. This procedure is effective in treating all kinds of pilonidal disease (simple, complicated, and abscess).

Rethinking the causes of pilonidal sinus disease: a matched cohort study

Our understanding of pilonidal sinus disease (PSD) is based on a paper published 29 years ago by Karydakis. Since then, surgeons have been taught that hair more easily penetrates wet skin, leading to the assumption that sweating promotes PSD. This postulate, however, has never been proven. Thus we used pilocarpine iontophoresis to assess sweating in the glabella sacralis. 100 patients treated for PSD and 100 controls were matched for sex, age and body mass index (BMI). Pilocarpine iontophoresis was performed for 5 min, followed by 15 min of sweat collection. PSD patients sweated less than their matched pairs (18.4 ± 1.6 µl vs. 24.2 ± 2.1 µl, p = 0.03). Men sweated more than women (22.2 ± 1.2 µl vs. 15.0 ± 1.0 µl in non-PSD patients (p < 0.0001) and 20.0 ± 1.9 µl vs. 11.9 ± 2.0 µl in PSD patients (p = 0.051)). And regular exercisers sweated more than non-exercisers (29.1 ± 2.9 µl vs. 18.5 ± 1.6 µl, p = 0.0006 for men and 20.7 ± 2.3 µl vs. 11.4 ± 1.4 µl, p = 0.0005 for women). PSD patients sweat less than matched controls. Thus sweating may have a protective effect in PSD rather than being a risk factor.

Pilonidal sinus of the cheek: an extremely rare clinical entity-case report and brief review of the literature

Background

Pilonidal sinus is commonly seen at the sacrococcygeal region and few other sites, usually located at the midline, at areas where hairs collect or near protuberances or some adjacent rubbing surfaces. Its presence elsewhere is uncommon. We share an interesting case of a recurrent discharging sinus from the cheek bulge of a male which turned out to be a pilonidal sinus containing tuft of hairs on exploration and wide excision.

Case presentation

A 37 years old hirsute male presents to us with a non-healing discharging sinus at the bulge of the cheek. Exploration after a course of antibiotics showed 2 subcutaneous cavities with tuft of hairs. The area was excised along with a margin, thorough irrigation and curettage was done and the wound was closed primarily; a Z-plasty was incorporated in the central part to break the resultant suture line. Histopathological examination was done to confirm the diagnosis and rule out an off-midline dermoid cyst or an underlying/coexisting malignancy. Post-operative course was uneventful. The patient has been recurrence free for 1.5 years and is satisfied with the nature of the scar.

Conclusions

Pilonidal sinus of the cheek bulge is an extremely rare entity. Complete excision and clinical suspicion are important for cure of this nagging ailment, especially at unexpected areas.

Is Hair Removal Necessary after Crystallized Phenol Treatment in Pilonidal Disease?

OBJECTIVE

The most important cause of posttreatment recurrence of pilonidal sinus disease (PSD) is the reentry of hair into the skin. The study aimed to investigate the effect of hair removal and its duration on the prevention of recurrence after crystallized phenol treatment.

SUBJECT AND METHODS

Patients with PSD who were treated with crystallized phenol treatment were evaluated. Hair in the sacrococcygeal area was removed with depilatory cream before every crystallized phenol procedure, during the treatment, and after treatment once a month for 6 years. Of 1,016 patients, 735 were contacted by telephone or e-mail regarding the frequency of sacrococcygeal hair removal and recurrence. Demographic and sinus features and crystallized phenol application data of patients treated with crystallized phenol for PSD, as well as recurrences were retrospectively assessed.

RESULTS

The mean follow-up time was 46.23 ± 33 (range, 11-240) months, with 139 (18.9%) patients experiencing recurrence. Patients who underwent hair removal experienced significantly less recurrence than those who did not (p = 0.003, odds ratio [OR]: 0.54 [95% CI: 0.36-0.82]). The OR of recurrence decreased by 0.8% every month as the hair removal time increased (OR: 0.992, 95% CI: 0.985-1.000, p = 0.049). The cutoff value for sensitivity was 0.636, specificity 0.466, and area under the curve 0.562 in hair removal procedures that lasted for over 30 months.

CONCLUSION

Regular hair removal during, and at least 30 months after, crystallized phenol treatment reduced recurrences in patients with PSD.

Combination of Side-Swing Flap With Negative-Pressure Wound Therapy Is Superior to Open Excision or Flap Alone in Children With Pilonidal Sinus-But at What Cost?

Background: Pilonidal sinus (PS) disease frequently occurs in adolescents and young adults, and in many cases involves wide excision or local flaps as treatment. These treatments are associated with a significant recurrence rate, a long healing time, and thus absence from school or work. The hybrid technique, which is a combination of side-swing plasty with negative-pressure wound therapy (NPWT) may improve these outcomes. The aim of the study was to compare the latter with other current methods. Methods: Children presenting with a pilonidal sinus to two referral centers for pediatric surgery from January 2017 till June 2019 and subsequent (1) slide-swing plasty, (2) open excision, or (3) slide-swing plasty in combination with NPWT were included in this retrospective study. Type of therapy, number of interventions, duration of hospitalization, complications, and recurrence rate were recorded. In addition, data was retrieved from the national diagnosis-related group for inpatient statistics, for all patients who underwent surgery for pilonidal sinus in 2015 and 2016. Results: In total, 85 children were included, with a mean age of 15 years and a near equal gender distribution (53% female). The minimum follow-up was 1 year. In 56% open resection was performed, while 18% underwent a slide-swing plasty and 26% a slide-swing plasty in combination with NPWT. While the hybrid technique was superior regarding recurrence rate in comparison to open excision (24 vs. 5%, p = 0.047), it had significantly longer hospital stay [17.41 (15.63) vs. 3.65 (1.68) days, p < 0.001] and number of interventions [4.14 (4.07) vs. 1.04 (0.29), p < 0.001]. Conclusions: Management of PS disease using slide-swing plasty in combination with NPWT is an effective treatment and is associated with low recurrence rate and minimal morbidity. However, this type of treatment is accompanied by an elongated hospitalization time and more frequent interventions. A diligent case by case evaluation and thorough patient counseling is thus necessary when choosing the right technique for the treatment of PS disease.

Understanding the elements of a holistic wound assessment

Wounds have become a significant public health challenge and consume a large amount of healthcare resources. Wounds can have severe negative effects on patients' quality of life, causing psychological and social distress, and may lead to significant periods of lost employment, resulting in financial loss. For nurses to manage wounds effectively, they need to be competent in undertaking holistic wound assessments. This article supports nurses' understanding by providing information on various types of wounds and their differing aetiologies. It also outlines the elements of a wound assessment and discusses some of the challenges that may be encountered during this process.

Turkey is leading in the 21st century pilonidal sinus disease research

Objectives

Pilonidal sinus disease (PSD) has been a recognized pathology for the past 188 years. We studied whether scientific interest in this common disease has grown or declined over time. Our investigation included analysis of the world literature between 1833 and 2018.

Material and Methods

A PubMed search was conducted to identify all publications on pilonidal sinus disease, broken down by country, year of publication and number of patients included or described.

Results

The number of patients studied has been increasing, with date of more than 10,000 patients published per decade since 1970, and the total number of affected patients exceeding n=40,000 in 2010 and Turkey leads the research, contributing 39% of the Mediterranean patients and 18% of the patients globally, while Italy provides 26% of the Mediterranean patients and 12% of the global total. Flap studies have increased, whereas primary open treatment studies have decreased from 40% in 1940 to less than 10% at present. Twenty percent of the studies performed today report primary median approaches, and the number of randomized controlled trials has increased.

Conclusion

Surgeons in Turkey currently publish the lion´s share of the pilonidal sinus literature.

Global Gender Differences in Pilonidal Sinus Disease: A Random-Effects Meta-Analysis

BACKGROUND

Pilonidal sinus disease (PSD) is traditionally associated with young male patients. While PSD is rare in Asia and Africa, lifestyles are changing considerably throughout the so-called developed world. We question that PSD is an overwhelmingly male disease and that the proportion of women suffering from PSD is worldwide evenly distributed in a homogenous matter.

METHODS

We analysed the world literature published between 1833 and 2018, expanding on the database created by Stauffer et al. Following correction for gender bias with elimination of men-only and women-only studies, data were processed using random-effects meta-analysis in the technique of DerSimonian and Laird.

RESULTS

The share of female pilonidal sinus disease patients analysed from all studies available in the world literature is 21%. There are marked regional differences including South America (39%), North America as well as Australia/New Zealand (29%) and Asia (7%), which are highly significant. These results stand fast even if analysis without gender bias corrections was applied.

CONCLUSION

The share of female patients suffering from PSD is considerable. It is time to think of PSD as a disease of both men and women. Previously unknown, there are significant regional differences worldwide; the reason(s) for the regional differences is still unclear.

The SiLaC procedure for pilonidal sinus disease: long-term outcomes of a single institution prospective study

BACKGROUND

In 2014, we started to treat pilonidal sinus disease in our institution with sinus laser-assisted closure (SiLaC) procedure. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of the SiLaC procedure in a single institution prospective study on a large cohort of patients and with a long follow-up period, and try to determine what factors that could influence healing and recurrence.

METHODS

A prospective study was conducted on consecutive patients with primary pilonidal sinus disease operated on with the SiLaC procedure at our institution from March 2015 to August 2017. Demographic and surgical data, outcomes, and complications were prospectively recorded and compared between the healed and not healed/recurrence groups to find factors influencing healing. Postoperative follow-up was performed in the outpatient clinic every 2 weeks for 2 months. In March 2018, patients were questioned by mail or phone to assess long-term recurrences.

RESULTS

There were 200 patients. The healing rate was high (94%) with a mean healing time of 19.5 ± 14.4 days. Mean operative time (9.4 ± 2.6 min) and mean duration of postoperative analgesic therapy (4.72 ± 5.64 days) were short. Postoperative complications (15%) were mainly infection (9.5%). There was a response rate of 77.5% to mail/phone questionnaires about recurrence. The recurrence rate was 14.9%. Mean time until recurrence was 193.5 ± 87.19 days. The incidence of secondary openings, complications, and infection in the healing vs not healed or recurrence groups, was 24.8% vs 56.6%, 19.2% vs 40%, and 8.8% vs 30%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

SiLaC is an effective, easy to perform, reproducible, and almost painless procedure. Factors influencing healing seem to be the presence of secondary openings, postoperative complications, and, especially, infection. The SiLaC procedure could become one of the treatments of choice for pilonidal sinus disease.

Impact of geography and surgical approach on recurrence in global pilonidal sinus disease

Pilonidal sinus disease (PSD) is increasing globally. A recent meta-analysis and merged-data analysis showed that recurrence rates in PSD depend essentially on follow-up time and specific surgical procedures. However, the global distribution of surgical approaches and respective recurrence rates have never been studied in PSD. We aimed at studying the impact of geographic distribution of surgical approaches to treat PSD and subsequent geography-specific recurrence rates. We searched relevant databases as described previously. Recurrence rates were then associated with reported follow-up times and geographic origin. We simulated individual patients to enable analogy across data. Globally, recurrence rates range from 0.3% for Limberg/Dufourmentel approaches (95% CI 0.2–0.4) and flaps (95% CI 0.1–0.5) and up to 6.3% for incision (95% CI 3.2–9.3) at 12 months. Recurrence rates range from 0.3% for Karydakis/Bascom approaches (95% CI 0.0–0.8) up to 67.2% for incision (95% CI 7.5–100) in the USA, and 0.0% for primary asymmetric closure in Germany (95% CI 0.0–0.0). Our analysis shows that recurrence rates in PSD not only depend on therapeutic approaches and follow-up time but also on geography. Primary asymmetric closure and various flap techniques remain superior regardless of the geographical region. Some approaches have extraordinarily good outcomes in specific countries.

Fibrin glue obliteration is safe, effective and minimally invasive as first line treatment for pilonidal sinus disease in children

BACKGROUND / PURPOSE

Sacrococcygeal pilonidal sinus disease (PSD) has an incidence of 1.2-2.5/1000 in children. Onset is around puberty. Symptoms of recurrent abscess and chronic suppuration may interfere with education and social integration. Treatments should cause minimal disruption while having good cure and recurrence rates. Curettage and Fibrin glue obliteration (FGO) show promising results in adults. We present our experience of its use in children.

METHODS

Review of all pediatric patients receiving FGO of pilonidal sinus performed by a single surgeon from September 2014 to February 2018.

RESULTS

Eighteen patients were identified. Median age was 16 (range 15-17), 55.6% were male. All procedures were completed as day cases. Median operative duration was 14 .1 (6-29) min. Twelve patients required only 1 procedure, 4 required 2 procedures, 1 required 5 procedures and 1 elected for formal excision after 2 FGO treatments. Median return to normal activities was 3 days, with 1 day school absence. Two patients developed minor surgical site infections. Median follow-up was 52 weeks (17-102), during which time there was 1 recurrence (5.6%).

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrates FGO is a safe, effective procedure for pediatric PNS, with results comparable to off-midline flap techniques and without the need for extensive tissue excision and the associated morbidity.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

IV.

The Management of Pilonidal Sinus

BACKGROUND

Pilonidal disease is an acute or chronic infection in the subcutaneous fatty tissue, mainly in the natal cleft. Its incidence in Germany in 2012 was 48 cases per 100 000 persons per year.

METHODS

This review is based on pertinent publications retrieved by a selective literature search.

RESULTS

The numerous minimally invasive techniques that are available for the treatment of pilonidal disease have the advantages of being relatively atraumatic and of enabling the patient to continue working almost without interruption. They are suitable for small lesions that have not been previously surgically treated. These techniques are associated with a higher recurrence rate than excisional methods (level of evidence [LoE]: Ib). It is not yet clear whether minimally invasive techniques employing laser or endoscopic technology can reduce the recurrence rate. In systematic meta-analyses, the duration of wound healing was shorter after off-midline techniques (the Karydakis procedure, the Limberg procedure, and others) than after excision with open wound treatment; the off-midline techniques should, therefore, be preferred for patients who have undergone previous surgery and for those with large lesions (LoE: Ia). Excision with midline suturing should not be performed (LoE: Ia). Postoperative permanent shaving cannot be recommended either (LoE: IV).

CONCLUSION

Further randomized trials are needed to clarify the role of newer techniques in the treatment of pilonidal disease.

The presence of occipital hair in the pilonidal sinus cavity-a triple approach to proof

PURPOSE

Hair in the pilonidal sinus is not growing within the sinus cavity, as hair follicles are not present there. Not few pilonidal patients do not have intergluteal hair, which is said to be the causative agent of folliculitis and pilonidal genesis. So, what is the real source of the hair forming the typical pilonidal hair nest?

METHODS

A trifold approach was used: First, axial hair strength testing of pilonidal hair and body hair harvested from head, lower back (glabella sacralis), and cranial third of intergluteal fold. Hair strength match was compared clinically. Second, comparative morphological examination by expert forensic biologist of hair from sinus and dorsal body hair. Third, statistical Bayesian classification of every single sinus hair based on its strength was done to determine the most probable region of origin.

RESULTS

Using clinical hair strength comparison, in 13/20 patients, head hair is the stiffest hair, followed by intergluteal hair. Only in 6/20 patients, this is the case with hair from the glabella sacralis. According to comparative morphological comparison, a minimum of 5 of 13 hair nests with possible hair allocation examined contain hair from the occiput. In 5/18 nests, hair could not be determined to a specific location though. Statistical classification with correction for multiple testing shows that 2 nests have hair samples that are at least 100 times more probable to originate from head or lower back than from intergluteal fold.

CONCLUSION

We saw our null hypothesis that "hair in the sinus cavity is from the intergluteal region" rejected by each of three different approaches. There is strong evidence that occipital hair is present regularly in pilonidal sinus nests. We should start thinking of occipital hair as an important hair source for the development of the pilonidal hair nest.

The effect of hair removal after surgery for sacrococcygeal pilonidal sinus disease: a systematic review of the literature

BACKGROUND

It has been suggested that removal of body hair in the sacrococcygeal area prevents recurrence after surgery for sacrococcygeal pilonidal sinus disease (SPSD). The aim of this study was to review the literature regarding the effect of hair depilation on the recurrence rate in patients surgically treated for SPSD.

METHODS

A systematic search was performed in PubMed, EMBASE, and The Cochrane Library by using synonyms for SPSD. Title, abstract, and full text were screened by two independent reviewers. Data were systematically collected from all included studies by using a standardized data extraction form.

RESULTS

The search and selection yielded 14 studies, involving 963 patients. The study design of the included studies was: retrospective cohort (n = 7), prospective cohort (n = 3), randomized controlled trial (n = 2), and case-control (n = 2).The mean length of follow-up was 37.0 (standard error of the mean: 35.0) months. The recurrence rate was 9.3% (34 out of 366 patients) in patients who had laser hair removal, 23.4% (36 out of 154 patients) in those who had razor shaving/cream depilation, and 19.7% (85 out of 431 patients) in those who had no hair removal after surgery for SPSD.

CONCLUSIONS

This systematic review showed a lower recurrence rate after laser hair removal compared to no hair removal and razor/cream depilation. Due to the small sample size and limited methodological quality of the included studies, a high-quality randomized controlled trial is required.