Current management of adolescent pilonidal disease

Abstract

Background Controversy persists regarding the optimal management for adolescent pilonidal disease. We reviewed the outcome of wide local excision (WLE) vs unroofing and marsupialization (UM) for pilonidal disease. Methods A retrospective review 2002 to 2007 of adolescents undergoing surgical treatment of pilonidal disease was performed. Data were analyzed using Student's t test. Results Twenty-six patients were treated for pilonidal disease during this period. Average age was 16.7 years (range, 14-19 years) with 50% males. Nine patients underwent WLE and 17 had UM. Before initial evaluation, 44% of patients in the WLE group had drainage of acute abscess compared to 59% in the UM group ( P > .05). Postoperative complications in the WLE group (78%) were significantly higher compared to the UM group (0%). Median time for final healing was significantly higher in the WLE group (32 weeks) compared to the UM group (6 weeks). The reoperative rate was also significantly higher in the WLE group (56%) compared to the UM group (0%). No patient had recurrent disease after complete healing in either group. Conclusion Unroofing and marsupialization for primary pilonidal disease has a shorter time to heal and carries a lower complication and reoperative rate compared to WLE.