Evaluation of 60 patients with pilonidal sinus treated with laser epilation after surgery

Abstract

Background: The surgical treatments for pilonidal sinus disease often result in recurrences, and the patients risk requiring multiple surgical interventions.

Objective: To evaluate the role of alexandrite laser hair removal after surgery in pilonidal sinus disease.

Methods: Sixty patients who underwent surgical treatment of pilonidal sinus disease and were treated with a 755-nm alexandrite laser after surgery between 1999 and 2007 were examined retrospectively. The charts were reviewed, and the patients were interviewed on the telephone about their post-laser period and recurrence. The laser parameters, patient history, and surgical details were recorded.

Results: The overall recurrence rate was 13.3%, after a mean follow-up period +/- standard error of the mean of 4.8 +/- 0.3 years. The mean number of laser treatment was 2.7 +/- 0.1. Seventy-five percent of the recurrences were detected after a follow-up period of 5 to 9 years. Fifty percent of the recurrent cases had drainage and secondary intention before the laser epilation.

Conclusion: Our results strongly suggest that laser hair removal after surgical interventions in pilonidal sinus disease decreases the risk of recurrence over the long term.