Pilonidal sinus disease surgery in children: the first study to compare crystallized phenol application to primary excision and closure

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Surgery
• Dermatology
• Wound Healing

Background:

• Pilonidal sinus (PS) is a common infectious and inflammatory condition affecting the sacrococcygeal region.
• Current treatment options for PS include surgical excision, flap procedures, and chemical applications.
• The optimal treatment for pediatric PS remains a subject of ongoing research.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the efficacy and outcomes of crystallized phenol application versus excision and primary closure for treating pediatric pilonidal sinus.
• To evaluate recurrence and complication rates associated with each treatment modality.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of medical data from pediatric patients diagnosed with pilonidal sinus.
• Patients were treated with either excision and primary closure (77 patients) or crystallized phenol application (40 patients).
• Data on hospitalization time, follow-up duration, recurrence, and complications were analyzed.

Main Results:

• The study included 117 pediatric patients with PS (52 girls, 65 boys; mean age 15.6 years).
• Patients treated with phenol had shorter hospital stays (discharged same day) compared to excision and primary closure (mean 2.7 days).
• Phenol group had a mean follow-up of 8.1 months, while excision group had 44.6 months, with phenol showing lower recurrence and complication rates.

Conclusions:

• Crystallized phenol application presents a feasible, minimally invasive alternative for pediatric PS treatment.
• This method appears to offer lower recurrence and complication rates compared to traditional excision and primary closure.
• Further research is warranted to establish the long-term efficacy of phenol application in pediatric PS management.