Non-operative therapy for pilonidal sinus in adolescence: crystallised phenol application, 'report of a case'

Pilonidal sinus (PS) is an acquired disease at the sacrococcygeal region that can be treated by different surgical techniques. Crystallised phenol application seems to be an alternative therapy to surgery with higher success rates, lower costs, faster recovery and earlier return to work. We aimed to state the success of phenol application for PS in adolescence. A 14-year-old boy with recurrent PS, an 18-year-old girl with the history of pilonidal abscess and a 15-year-old girl with PS was hospitalised. All patients underwent phenol application in an outpatient setting. The patients were followed thereafter. The 14-year-old boy and 18-year-old girl did not face any problems and all sinuses healed completely. The 15-year-old girl was followed for 2 weeks because of intergluteal maceration and ongoing drainage. She underwent another phenol application and the course after intervention was uneventful with complete healing of the sinus. Crystallised phenol application seems to be a promising non-operative therapy for PS in adolescents.