The minimally invasive approach to the treatment of pilonidal disease

Abstract

Pilonidal disease (PD) is a common suppurative condition located beneath the skin of the sacrococcygeal region. Diagnosis is clinical and usually doesn't require any instrumental examination or imaging. To date, there is still no gold standard treatment for symptomatic PD, although most clinicians advocate surgical excision as a definitive treatment. Recently, several comparative studies between traditional excision and minimally invasive techniques have been published. However, there are still methodological limitations and selection biases that prevent the achievement of an adequate level of scientific evidence. The main advantages of the minimally invasive procedures include fewer wound infections, less pain, quicker return to work, and higher patient satisfaction. However, the success rate is still unclear and further studies are needed. This article briefly highlights the different minimally invasive approaches introduced in the last years, including both the endoscopic treatment and the laser surgery.