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Pediatric pilonidal disease: a method of management
1University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock.
Insights
Pilonidal disease in children can be effectively managed with aspiration, incision, antibiotics, and pit curettage, showing no recurrence. Alternative midline procedures in two children resulted in disease recurrence, highlighting the importance of the described treatment approach.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Surgery
- Dermatology
- Wound Management
Background:
- Pilonidal disease is a common condition affecting the sacrococcygeal region.
- Its etiology involves hair shaft ingestion into midline skin openings, typically post-puberty.
- Current management strategies for pilonidal disease are varied, indicating challenges in eradication.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate a specific treatment protocol for pediatric pilonidal disease.
- To assess the recurrence rates associated with different management approaches in children.
Main Methods:
- Nine pediatric patients underwent treatment involving aspiration, incision, antibiotics, and curettage of affected pits.
- A comparison was made with two pediatric patients who had undergone midline procedures.
Main Results:
- The group of nine children treated with aspiration, incision, antibiotics, and curettage experienced no recurrence of pilonidal disease.
- Two children who underwent midline procedures for pilonidal disease experienced recurrence.
- The observed female-to-male ratio in pediatric cases was 4.5:1.
Conclusions:
- Aspiration, incision, antibiotics, and curettage of pits represent an effective treatment for pediatric pilonidal disease.
- Midline procedures may be associated with a higher risk of recurrence in pediatric patients.
- Early and appropriate intervention is crucial for successful pilonidal disease management in children.
Abstract:
Pilonidal disease is a common problem; its many management options are testimony to the difficulty in its eradication. Its etiology is distention of midline skin orifices with ingestion of hair shafts from hirsute buttocks. Thus, the disease does not usually appear until after puberty. Nine children were treated by aspiration and incision and antibiotics, followed by curettage of the pits; they had no recurrence. Two children who had midline procedures had recurrent disease. The female-male ratio in children is 4.5:1.