Crystallized phenol treatment of pilonidal disease improves quality of life

The effects of crystallized phenol treatment of pilonidal sinus on quality of life has not been investigated before. This study aimed to compare the phenol treatment with surgical excision plus primary closure technique in terms of life quality by means of a life quality questionnaire. This is a prospective randomized clinical study. The study was conducted at Training and Teaching Hospital, Kayseri, Turkey. In total, 40 patients with pilonidal disease were randomly assigned into 2 clinically comparable groups between September 2010 and June 2011. Cristallyzed phenol application was done to 20 patients and surgical excision plus primary closure was done to 20 patients for the treatment of pilonidal disease. Data regarding demographic variables were recorded. To evaluate quality of life and patient comfort all patients asked to fill the questionnaire after complete healing occurred. There was no difference between the groups in age, sex and occupation. Two of the 20 patients in the excision and primary closure group had complication of wound dehiscience and needed prolonged wound care. There was significant differences in favor of the phenol group in all terms of life quality except for complete healing time. As a first degree treatment, phenol treatment is better than the other treatment choices of pilonidal disease in terms of time off work perioperative pain, being away from school and social life. Also phenol treatment can be done without any pretreatment laboratory examination. Further studies will be needed about cost-effectivity of phenol treatment.