Recurrent Pilonidal Sinus Disease Research Articles

Long-term follow-up of pilonidal sinus disease treated by radial laser surgery

PurposeLaser ablation is one of the newest and most advanced minimally invasive techniques in treating pilonidal sinus disease (PSD). Most studies on the subject have small sample sizes and relatively short follow-up times, making evaluation of long-term healing rates and recurrences difficult. Furthermore, long-term results for laser surgery of PSD are still lacking. The aim of this study was to retrospectively report long-term follow-up results for PSD treatment by radial laser surgery.MethodsWe retrospectively studied the medical records of 83 patients who underwent the radial laser procedure for PSD between January 2017 and September 2019. Our follow-up time was a median of 5.2 years, range 1.5 to 7.4 years.ResultsTwelve patients had a PSD recurrence after their laser procedure, which gives a recurrence rate of 14.5% (95% CI 8.2%-23.2%). These recurrences appeared at a median 12.2 months after the laser procedure, range 4.2 to 51 months. A total of 23 patients (27.7%; 95% CI 19.0–38.0) underwent a reoperation, 11 patients due to postoperative infection or prolonged recovery and 12 patients due to PSD recurrence. Recurrent PSD and spillage of pus during operation were statistically significantly associated with the need for a second operation.ConclusionRadial laser surgery provides a minimally invasive treatment option with an acceptable recurrence rate in long-term follow-up.

Preventing Pilonidal Sinus Recurrence With Laser Hair Epilation: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

Pilonidal sinus disease (PSD) is a common condition associated with significant morbidity and healthcare costs. High recurrence rates still pose a considerable challenge in managing PSD, with no universally accepted guideline inplace to guide management. Laser hair epilation offers a way to reduce recurrence rates with reports within the current literature demonstrating positive outcomes compared to alternative approaches. This review was conducted by the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) statement standards. The primary outcome measure was the recurrence rate of PSD at a minimum of one year following laser hair epilation. The electronic databases of MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, Google Scholar, PubMed, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL)were searched. OpenMeta Analyst (Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, RI) software was used for data synthesis. Three randomized controlled trials met the inclusion criteria with laser hair epilation treatments offering a significant reduction in PSD recurrence rateson odds ratio analysis: 0.319 ( 0.160, 0.636), P-value = 0.0001. Secondary outcomes involving patient disability days, caregiver disability days, health-related quality-of-life (HRQOL) scores, healthcare satisfaction scores, and perceived stigma were discussed qualitatively. The authors offer a decisive recommendation in favor of laser hair epilation in PSD; however, they recommend further high-quality trials to investigate the ideal timing and frequency of laser hair epilation sessions.

Outcomes of Limberg flap repair in recurrent pilonidal sinus disease: a study in a district hospital of Bangladesh

Outcomes of Limberg flap repair in recurrent pilonidal sinus disease: a study in a district hospital of Bangladesh

Pediatric endoscopic pilonidal sinus treatment (PEPSiT): report of a multicentric national study on 294 patients.

This study aimed to report a multicentric national experience about the outcomes of pediatric endoscopic pilonidal sinus treatment (PEPSiT). The medical records of all pediatric patients, aged up to 18years, who underwent PEPSiT in the period 2019-2021, were retrospectively reviewed. Patients' demographics, operative details, and post-operative outcomes were assessed. A total of 294 patients (182 boys), with median age of 14years (range 10-18), receiving PEPSiT in the study period, were enrolled. Pilonidal sinus disease (PSD) was primary in 258 (87.8%) and recurrent in 36 (12.2%). The median operative time was 36min (range 11-120). The median VAS pain score was 0.86 (range 0-3) and the median duration of analgesic use was 27h (range 12-60). The overall success rate was 95.2% (280/294) and the median time to full healing was 23.4days (range 19-50). Six/294 (2.0%) patients developed Clavien 2 post-operative complications. The recurrence rate was 4.8% (14/294) and all recurrences were re-operated using PEPSiT. Redo-surgery for wound debridement was performed in one (0.3%) patient with late healing. On multivariate analysis, hirsutism and typology of sinus (pits ≥ 2, paramedian and more proximal to the anus) were predictors of PSD recurrence (p = 0.001). To date, this is the largest series of PEPSiT published in the pediatric population. The outcomes reported after a 3years experience confirm that PEPSiT is a safe, effective, and real minimally invasive procedure to treat adolescents with PSD. It provides patients quick and painless recovery, satisfactory success, and high quality of life.

Endoscopic approach to complex or recurrent pilonidal sinus: A retrospective analysis.

Pilonidal Sinus is a benign, chronic disease that affects the hair follicles of the natal cleft of the sacrococcygeal area. Its ideal treatment is controversial, especially in complex or recurrent cases. The aim of this study is to evaluate the use of minimally invasive endoscopic approach in this setting. We enrolled patients affected by complex or recurrent sacrococcygeal pilonidal sinus from January 2015 through December 2020 who underwent Video-Assisted Ablation of Pilonidal Sinus. All patients enrolled were re-evaluated once a year with a standard physical examination. The patients included were 38. Recurrence rate at 1-, 3- and 5-years follow-ups were 28.9%, 22.2% and 38.1% respectively. Of interest, the mean (SD) distance from the most lateral orifice to the midline was higher in group of patients with recurrence and the multivariate analysis demonstrated that it was the limiting factor, which influences the recurrence rate. In complex or recurrent pilonidal sinus disease with pits off the midline the endoscopic approach should not be the first choice. This makes us think that these cases should have their own classification to be identified and guide surgeons in choosing the appropriate approach.

Injection of freshly collected autologous adipose tissue in complicated pilonidal disease: a prospective pilot study.

Pilonidal sinus disease (PSD) is a frequent disorder. Treatment failure and recurrence are common, leading to significant morbidity. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact and need for repeated treatment of injected autologous adipose tissue into non-healing PSD wounds and primary anal-near PSD or anal-near recurrence. At the Department of Surgery, Randers Regional Hospital, Denmark, a prospective pilot study was conducted on consecutive PSD patients with lack of healing 3months after surgery (Bascom's cleft lift) or with primary or recurrent anal-near pilonidal sinus disease from December 2018 to March 2020. The primary endpoint was time to healing. Autologous adipose tissue was harvested from the patients and injected into the lesions after surgical revision. Patients were examined 2 and 12weeks after surgery. Patients with lack of healing after 12weeks (undermining or no skin coverage) were offered re-injection. We included 30 patients [26 men and 4 women, median age 24years (range 18-59years)]. Complete healing was achieved in 25 patients [83.3%; 95% CI (69.9-96.7)]. Two patients had recurrence (6.7%). The median time to complete healing was 159 (189) days. The mean operation time was 70.6 ± 23.7min and the mean amount of injected autologous adipose tissue was 19 ± 10ml. There were no major complications. Freshly collected autologous adipose tissue injected into chronic non-healing or primary and recurrent PSD lesions near the anal verge is safe and efficient.

Previously operated recurrent pilonidal sinus treated with crystallized phenol: Twenty-year experience in a cohort study.

Postoperative recurrent pilonidal sinus disease is troublesome, and its treatment is a challenge. In this study, it was aimed to present the long-term efficacy of crystallized phenol treatment on postoperative recurrent pilonidal sinus disease through our results collected within the last 20 years. Two hundred and twenty-seven patients who had been previously operated on and suffered from recurrent pilonidal sinus disease were enrolled. The operation was applied in our outpatient clinic under local anesthesia. Demographic data of the patients, number of crystallized phenol treatment, duration of follow-up and recurrence numbers were prospectively recorded. Treatment success and factors affecting recurrence were examined. Our success rate was found as 71.5%. This success rate belongs to the group of patients who never quit treatment and complied with the treatment. The patients were followed up for a mean 45.8 months. Of the post-crystallized phenol treatment recurrences, 72.4% took place within the first five years, while 97.4% did so within the first 10 years. Mean number of crystallized phenol applications was 2.6. The longer the duration of the disease before treatment, the more recurrence was observed after treatment (p= 0.02). There was no correlation between the number of previous operations and recurrence after treatment. As the number of sinus openings increased, so did the number of applications (p= 0.001). Crystallized phenol treatment yields promising long-term results in recurrent pilonidal sinus disease as well and may be recommended as the first choice in recurrent pilonidal sinus disease treatment since it is an effective non-operative treatment modality.

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

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. 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. 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 (>60days) 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). 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.

Bascom Cleft Lift Technique in Sacrococcygeal Pilonidal Disease: Results of Tezel Type 4 and 5 Cases

According to the Tezel classification, the surgical method to be applied for type 4 and type 5 sacrococcygeal pilonidal disease (SPD) patients is controversial. Our aim is to discuss the success of the Bascom Cleft Lift (BCL) technique in treating these patients. In the present study, patients who were operated on for primary or recurrent pilonidal sinus disease by the same surgeon (IAT) in a tertiary medical faculty hospital between January 2018 and January 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. Complication and recurrence rates after BCL were compared with the available literature. There were 10 patients who underwent BCL for SPD Tezel type 4 and type 5. The average age of the patients was 21 (16- 29) years and 9 (90%) of them were male. The mean follow-up time was 22 (11-26) months. The mean operation time was 42 (35-58) minutes. The duration of hospitalization was 2.4 (1-5) days. Although the first patients stayed in the hospital for a long time, the last three patients stayed for a day each. Seroma developed in 2 (20%) patients, superficial infection in 1 (10%) and recurrence in 1 (10%) patient. Recurrence developed only in the patient who was operated in the eigth row. No patient was reoperated. BCL is a successful technique for treating Tezel type 4 and type 5 SPD patients.

Negative pressure wound therapy following excision of pilonidal sinus disease: A retrospective review.

There is no agreed definitive surgical treatment for pilonidal sinus disease (PSD) with several techniques in use with varying success. Negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) is used to accelerate wound healing but literature in the context of PSD remains sparse. The aim of this study was to evaluate outcomes in patients with PSD treated by a standardised technique of complete surgical excision followed by the application of NPWT. A retrospective observational cohort study of all patients with PSD managed by complete surgical excision followed by application of NPWT was performed over a five year period. The primary endpoints were PSD recurrence and failed wound healing. Sixty-one patients underwent treatment during the study period. There was 100% compliance with NPWT. All patients' wounds healed successfully, with the median time to healing being 28days. One patient (1.6%) developed recurrent PSD and required further surgery. Two patients (3.3%) developed postoperative wound infections. Five patients, who had been managed previously by other operative approaches and subsequently developed recurrence, were successfully managed by this technique. Most patients (52.4%) were managed as a day case procedure. Surgery for PSD should have low recurrence rates, prompt wound healing, minimal complications, short inpatient lengths of stay and be tolerated by the patient. Our results demonstrate that our technique meets these criteria. To our knowledge, this study contains the largest number of patients with PSD managed by excision and NPWT in the literature.

Surgical reconstruction of pilonidal sinus disease with concomitant extracellular matrix graft placement: a case series.

Pilonidal sinus disease (PSD) is a chronic inflammatory disease affecting the soft tissue of the sacrococcygeal region and remains a challenging disease for clinicians to treat. The optimal treatment for PSD remains controversial and recent reports describe several different surgical approaches offering different benefits. Approximately 40% of initial incision and drainage cases require subsequent surgery. Due to high recurrence rates and postoperative complications, a more complex revision surgery involving a flap reconstruction may be required. We hypothesised that the combination of an extracellular matrix (ECM) graft with tissue flap reconstruction may decrease the postoperative complications and recurrence rates for PSD. We report a retrospective case series using a surgical flap reconstruction with concomitant implantation of an ovine forestomach ECM graft under a fasciocutaneous flap with an off-midline closure for recurrent PSD, where previously surgical intervention had failed due to wound dehiscence and/or recurrent disease. The case series included six patients. After three weeks, all patients except one were fully healed, and the sixth was fully healed by week 4; all wounds remained fully healed at 12 weeks. All patients achieved good cosmesis and were able to return to normal function without any residual symptoms. This pilot case series explored augmenting a flap reconstruction for complex PSD with advanced ECM graft materials, demonstrating that it may improve outcomes and minimise typical complications seen in flap closure, such as inflammation, infection, haematoma/seroma and hypoperfusion. Although the study had a limited number of participants, long-term outcomes were promising and suggest that further studies are warranted.

Pilonidal sinus disease recurrence at a tertiary care center in Riyadh.

BACKGROUND: Pilonidal sinus disease (PSD) is a chronic inflammatory disease of the sacrococcygeal area. Pilonidal sinus recurrence is a matter of concern to both patients and healthcare providers.OBJECTIVES: Estimate the rate of PSD recurrence in our center and identify any risk factors contributing to disease recurrence.DESIGN: Retrospective.SETTING: Tertiary care center in Riyadh.PATIENTS AND METHODS: All patients who underwent surgery for primary or recurrent pilonidal sinus between 1 January 2016 to 30 June 2019 were included to allow for at least 1-year of follow-up at the time of data collection.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Recurrence rate of PSD and risk factors for recurrence.SAMPLE SIZE AND CHARACTERISTICS: 369 patients: 329 males (89.2%) and 40 (10.8%) females. Median (interquartile range) age was 21 (18-26) years.RESULTS: Of the 369 included patients, recurrence was identified in 84 (22.8%) cases [95% confidence interval (CI) 18.6-27.4], and the mean timing of recurrence was 1.8 (1.6) years after the primary surgery. In a multivariate logistic regression analysis, increased age and post-operative seroma fluid discharge were independent risk factors for recurrence. In contrast, preoperative antibiotic prophylaxis and postoperative hair removal were effective in reducing recurrence. Type of surgery closure had no effect on recurrence, yet primary closure was associated with early onset of recurrence compared to secondary closure (P=.02).CONCLUSION: Our findings on the factors associated with recurrence of PSD are consistent with many reports in the literature. Reported prevalence estimates vary widely.LIMITATION: Single center, small sample size, retrospective.CONFLICT OF INTEREST: None.

Risk factors for recurrence after pilonidal sinus surgery in children and adolescents.

Background: Acquired pilonidal sinus disease (PSD) is a condition involving hair bundles most commonly located in the midline of the sacrococcygeal region. The aim of this study is to investigate the risk factors for recurrence after the surgical treatment of PSD in children and adolescents. Methods: This retrospective study was conducted with patients who underwent surgery for PDS at the Paediatric Surgery Clinic of Karaman State Hospital between July 2010 and December 2018. Age, gender, weight, and height of the patients were recorded. Whether or not there was a recurrence after the surgery as well as the factors affecting recurrence in the cases with recurrence were examined. Results: A total of 86 PSD patients were included in the study. Of these, 36 (41.9%) were girls and 50 (58.1%) were boys. The mean follow-up period was 15.1 ± 8.4 months. Their mean age was 15.16 ± 1.29 years. Postoperative recurrence developed in 14 patients (16.3%). Postoperative recurrence was significantly higher in those who were overweight than in those of normal weight (p < 0.001) and in females when compared to males (p = 0.014). Gender and BMI were interrelated as risk factors. The effect of female gender on the likelihood of recurrence was threefold that of BMI. Conclusion: It was observed in this study that female gender and a high BMI significantly increased the risk of PSD recurrence after surgery.

Pediatric endoscopic pilonidal sinus treatment (PEPSiT): what we learned after a 3-year experience in the pediatric population

This paper aimed to report a multi-institutional 3-year experience with pediatric endoscopic pilonidal sinus treatment (PEPSiT) and describe tips and tricks of the technique. We retrospectively reviewed all patients < 18 years, with primary or recurrent pilonidal sinus disease (PSD), undergoing PEPSiT in the period 2017–2020. All patients received pre-operative laser therapy, PEPSiT and post-operative dressing and laser therapy. Success rate, healing rate/time, post-operative management, short- and long-term outcome and patient satisfaction were assessed. A total of 152 patients (98 boys) were included. Median patient’s age was 17.1 years. Fifteen/152 patients (9.8%) presented a recurrent PSD. All patients resumed full daily activities 1 day after surgery. The post-operative course was painless in 100% of patients (median VAS pain score < 2/10). Patient satisfaction was excellent (median score 4.8). The median follow-up was 12.8 months (range 1–36). Complete healing in 8 weeks was achieved in 145/152 (95.4%) and the median healing time was 24.6 days (range 16–31). We reported post-operatively immediate Clavien grade 2 complications (3 oedema, 2 burns) in 5/152 (3.3%) and delayed Clavien grade 2 complications (3 granulomas, 8 wound infections) in 11/152 (7.2%). Disease recurrence occurred in 7/152 (4.6%), who were re-operated using PEPSiT. PEPSiT should be considered the standard of care for surgical treatment of PSD in children and teenagers. PEPSiT is technically easy, with short and painless post-operative course and low recurrence rate (4.6%). Standardized treatment protocol, correct patient enrollment and information, and intensive follow-up are key points for the success of the procedure.

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.

Combined Horizontal Split Gluteus Maximus Muscle and Fasciocutaneous Limberg Flaps for Reconstruction of Recurrent Sacrococcygeal Pilonidal Sinus.

Background:Pilonidal sinus is a chronic recurrent medical disease. The exact etiology of the disease is still unknown, but the most accepted theory is an acquired condition characterized by infected sinus in the natal cleft area containing a lifeless hair tuft. Multiple techniques were prescribed for its treatment; however, the ideal method is not yet defined.Methods:The study population includes 58 male patients who underwent excision of their recurrent pilonidal sinus, and the resulting defects were reconstructed using combined horizontal split gluteus maximus flaps and rhomboid flaps. Outcomes were revised from patient case files and followed up in our outpatient clinic and via questionnaires.Results:The mean hospital stay was 3 days. The mean time to return to work was 16 days. Partial wound dehiscences occurred in 2 patients. Distal end flap necrosis occurred in 1 patient. There were no flap losses, no recurrences, no infections, no loss of function, and no seromas during a mean follow-up period of 24 months. All patients were satisfied with the results.Conclusions:This technique has an operative time and hospital stays comparable to those of other techniques. It has minimal and acceptable complication rates and no recurrences. We can conclude that this procedure of combined split gluteus maximus muscle flap and rhomboid flap provides an excellent, effective, easy, and feasible method of choice for reconstructing defects of recurrent pilonidal sinus disease.

Primary Transverse Closure Compared to Open Wound Treatment for Primary Pilonidal Sinus Disease in Children.

We aimed to compare the outcome of two different operative methods to correct pilonidal sinus disease (PSD) in children, i.e., excision and open wound care (OW) versus excision and primary transverse closure (PC) of the wound. In this retrospective, observational study, we extracted data from the medical records of 56 patients who underwent surgery for PSD at our institution between 1 January 2006 and 31 December 2016. To test whether the primary variable, i.e., rate of PSD recurrence, differed between the two surgical groups, a logistic regression model was fitted. Secondary explanatory variables were total length of stay (LOS) at the hospital, complications, sex and age of patients, seniority of the surgeon in charge, and volume of excised specimen. Overall, 32 (57%) children and young adults underwent OW, while 24 (43%) patients were treated by PC. Mean age at operation was 15.5 years in either group. PSD recurred in 12 of 32 (37.5%) children in the OW group and in 3 of 24 (12.5%) children in the PC group (ratio: 0.19, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] 0.03–1.07). Thus, treatment of primary PSD by PC proved superior with respect to PSD recurrence. Moreover, our study did not bring to light any high-grade complications in the PC group, and postoperative pain was minimal. Less invasive treatment approaches for chronic PSD are typically performed in an outpatient setting and offer reduced morbidity, low rates of PSD recurrence, and shortened periods of time to return to work or social activities. More radical operations of PSD should be reserved for recurrent PSD where less invasive approaches have failed several times.

Limberg flap for the management of pilonidal sinus reduces disease recurrence compared to Karydakis and Bascom procedure: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

The objective of this study is to compare the effectiveness of Limberg flap (LF) versus Karydakis and Bascom procedure to reduce the recurrence of pilonidal sinus disease. The data retrieved from the published randomized controlled trials (RCT) comparing the effectiveness of LF versus Karydakis and Bascom procedure was analyzed using the principles of meta-analysis. The summated outcome of the dichotomous data was presented in risk ratio (RR). Eighteen RCTs on 2073 patients comparing the effectiveness of LF versus Karydakis and or Bascom procedure for the surgical excision of pilonidal sinus disease were analyzed. In the random effects model analysis using the statistical software Review Manager 5.3, the LF was associated with the reduced risk (RR, 0.52; 95% CI: 0.29, 0.93; z=2.19; P=0.03) of disease recurrence after pilonidal sinus excision compared to Karydakis and Bascom procedure. On subgroup analysis the LF was still superior to Karidakys procedure (RR, 0.52; 95% CI: 0.23, 1.17; z=1.57; P=0.12) and Bascom procedure (RR, 0.49; 95% CI: 0.19, 1.29; z=1.44; P=0.15) but statistically it was not significant. LF seems to have clinical advantage over Karydakis and Bascom procedure in terms of reduced recurrence rate following surgical excision of pilonidal sinus. Although, this advantage was clinically persisted on subgroup analysis but failed to achieve statistical significance.

Standardization of Pre- and Postoperative Management Using Laser Epilation and Oxygen-Enriched Oil-Based Gel Dressing in Pediatric Patients Undergoing Pediatric Endoscopic Pilonidal Sinus Treatment (PEPSiT).

Pediatric endoscopic pilonidal sinus treatment (PEPSiT) has become the new standard of care for pilonidal sinus disease (PSD) in pediatric patients. This study aimed to compare our current wound treatment protocol (laser epilation (LE) and oxygen-enriched oil-based gel dressing) with our previous protocol (silver sulfadiazine spray) and demonstrate its efficacy as means to prevent PSD recurrence in children undergoing PEPSiT. We retrospectively reviewed the data of 87 pediatric patients, 52 boys and 35 girls, with an average age of 17.1 years (range, 12-18) affected by chronic PSD, who underwent PEPSiT over a 24-month period (December 2017-December 2019). The patients were divided into two groups: G1 (n = 47) treated with pre- and postoperative LE and oxygen-enriched oil-based gel dressing; and G2 (n = 40) treated with only postoperative dressing using silver sulfadiazine spray. The two groups were compared regarding the operative outcome, wound-healing time, disease recurrence, wound infections, and other complications. Furthermore, efficacy, safety, and tolerability of LE were assessed in G1. No significant difference emerged between the two groups regarding the median operating time, postoperative pain score, hospital stay length, and time to full daily activities (P = 0.33). The median healing time significantly decreased in G1 (21 days) compared with G2 (28.1 days) (P = 0.001]. The disease recurrence rate was significantly lower in G1 (n = 1, 2.1%) compared with G2 (n = 6, 15%) (P = 0.001), and the wound infection rate was significantly lower in G1 (n = 1, 2.1%) compared with G2 (n = 4, 10%) (P = 0.001). All patients with wound infection were treated with oral antibiotics and, after the resolution of the acute episode, received LE with no further infections (Clavien II). Granuloma of the wound occurred in two G2 patients (5%), who were treated with topical silver nitrate (Clavien II). LE was well-tolerated and without complications in all G1 patients; a median number of 7 LE sessions (range, 4-10) at 4-6 weeks interval was required to achieve definitive hair removal. The results of this study confirmed that our standardized pre- and postoperative wound management, including LE and oxygen-enriched oil-based gel dressing, was extremely safe and effective in reducing PSD recurrence and wound infection rate in pediatric patients undergoing PEPSiT. LE should be routinely offered as adjunctive treatment to all patients who receive PEPSiT and is strongly advocated to be started before surgery and continued after wound healing. More importantly, LE showed to have a role as a preventive modality in patients with recurrent folliculitis or infections at the intergluteal crease. It was also associated with significant improvement and acceleration of wound-healing time. LE and oxygen-enriched oil-based gel dressings were clinically safe and well-tolerated in all patients, with no adverse skin reactions or injuries to both therapies. Lasers Surg. Med. © 2020 Wiley Periodicals LLC.

Surgical treatment of sacrococcygeal pilonidal sinus with the Limberg transposition flap

Background: Pilonidal sinus disease is a common condition usually affecting young individuals and has been conventionally treated by open excision technique. Rhomboid Limberg is a transposition flap that has been pleaded for treatment of this condition. Aim: To study the outcome of Rhomboid excision with Limberg flap closure for the treatment of Sacrococcygeal Pilonidal sinus. Material and Methods: The study was conducted prospectively in the department of surgery Skims Medical College Srinagar from March 2014 to February 2019 and total of 55 patients with primary or recurrent pilonidal sinus disease were studied. Results: The average operative time was 60 minutes (range 50-80 minutes) Postoperative stay of patients in the hospital was 3-4 days.The complications were seen in total of four patients which included Seroma and mild gaping of the wound in one patient each and dehiscence in two patients. None of the patients had recurrence till date.Conclusions: Rhomboid excision with Limberg flap transposition is an effective surgical technique for management of pilonidal sinus. Keywords: Pilonidal sinus, Limberg flap, rhomboid transposition flap, fasciocutaneous flap,