Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 28, 2026
Author Spotlight: Scope of LE-ULBD as a Safe, Effective, and Minimally Invasive Approach to Treat Lumbar Spinal Stenosis
Published on: February 9, 2024
Improving outcomes in pilonidal sinus disease
Sarah Braungart1, Mark Powis1, Jonathan R Sutcliffe1
1Department of Paediatric Surgery, Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, UK.
Insights
Surgical excision with midline closure for pediatric pilonidal sinus showed a 22% recurrence rate. Preliminary laser hair removal results are promising for reducing pilonidal sinus recurrence.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric surgery
- Surgical outcomes
- Pilonidal sinus disease
Background:
- Optimal surgical treatment for pilonidal sinus disease (PSD) is debated, with limited pediatric data.
- High recurrence and infection rates (20%) are reported in pediatric PSD cases.
- A specific technique involving sinus excision and primary midline closure with a full-thickness flap was adopted.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the outcomes of a specific surgical technique for pilonidal sinus excision in children.
- To assess recurrence, infection, and dehiscence rates in pediatric patients undergoing this procedure.
- To explore the preliminary efficacy of laser hair removal in preventing recurrence.
Main Methods:
- Single-center retrospective review of pediatric patients undergoing pilonidal sinus excision (2005-2014).
- Standardized operative technique and perioperative care were applied to all patients.
- Telephone follow-up was conducted to ascertain long-term outcomes and complications.
Main Results:
- 19 pediatric patients (median age 15 years) were included; 18 had confirmed pilonidal sinus.
- Postoperative complications included wound dehiscence (44%) and wound infection (28%).
- Recurrence requiring further surgery occurred in 22% of patients; laser hair removal in 39% showed no further recurrence.
Conclusions:
- This technique in children resulted in a higher complication rate compared to adult studies.
- Accurate long-term outcome assessment is crucial when implementing new surgical techniques.
- Preliminary laser hair removal results are encouraging but require prospective validation.
Background:
Optimal surgical treatment for pilonidal sinus disease remains controversial. Studies in children are uncommon with overall high postoperative recurrence and infection rates (20%). Our unit adopted a technique for excision of the pilonidal sinus with primary midline closure using a full-thickness flap. We present our results of this technique in the pediatric age group.
Methods:
Single-center retrospective review and telephone follow-up was performed, including all children undergoing pilonidal sinus excision from 2005 to 2014 using the same operative technique and preoperative/postoperative care.
Results:
19 children were identified. Median age was 15years, and 47% were male. All had previously infected sinuses, with 5 requiring abscess drainage. Median follow-up was 13months (3.5-67months). Histology confirmed pilonidal sinus in 18/19 cases (one developmental malformation excluded from subsequent analysis). Recurrence requiring further surgery occurred in 4/18 (22%) patients at a median of 9months (range 8-36), wound dehiscence in 8/18 (44%), and wound infection in 5/18 (28%) cases. Laser hair removal of the natal cleft was performed in 7/18 (39%) patients with no further recurrence.
Conclusion:
This is the first report of this technique in children which showed a higher incidence of complications than a comparable adult study. Our study underlines the importance of accurate long-term outcomes when introducing new techniques to evaluate operation-associated morbidity. Our preliminary results of laser hair removal are promising but need to be evaluated with a prospective study.
More Related Videos
06:13Endoscopic Septoplasty with Limited Two-line Resection: Minimally Invasive Surgery for Septal Deviation
Published on: June 20, 2018
08:26Clinical Application of Single-Surgeon, Three-Port, Laparoscopic Resection for Colorectal Cancer with Natural Orifice Specimen Extraction
Published on: March 24, 2023
Related Concept Videos
01:21Inflammatory Bowel Disease V: Surgical Management
Here are some common surgical interventions for IBD:
01:26Endoscopic Procedures IV: Sigmoidoscopy and Laproscopy
Sigmoidoscopy
Sigmoidoscopy is a diagnostic procedure that uses a flexible sigmoidoscope equipped with a light source and camera to examine the rectum and sigmoid colon. The procedure involves inserting the tube through the anus...
01:25Urinary Tract Calculi VI: Surgical Management