Resolution of Mild Pilonidal Disease in Adolescents Without Resection

Abstract

Background: Pilonidal disease is a common condition of the gluteal crease, affecting around 1 in 2,000 adolescents and young adults. 1 Traditional options for management of pilonidal disease include improved hygiene with or without hair removal or resection of the nidus. Given a high recurrence rate associated with hygiene alone, nidus resection is often recommended, even for patients with mild pilonidal disease, despite significant postoperative morbidity. We present a consecutive series of patients with mild pilonidal disease managed in a dedicated Pilonidal Care Clinic using an alternate approach directed toward source control: improved hygiene to limit debris in the gluteal crease, excision of midline pilonidal pits under local anesthesia to prevent intrusion of debris with drainage of any nidus present, and laser ablation of midline follicles to prevent new pits from forming. 2.

Study design: Data on demographics, disease severity, symptom scoring, treatments provided, and outcome for consecutive new patients presenting to an outpatient pilonidal care clinic with mild disease between August 2017 and September 2020 were analyzed.

Results: One hundred two patients presented; their mean age was 16.3 years, 56 (55%) were female, and 42 (41%) had undergone prior nidus incision and drainage. Twenty-four were lost to follow up, and 77 of the 78 who continued care had resolution of their pilonidal disease after a mean of 3 ± 2.5 laser epilations and 1.3 ± 1 pit excisions during 4 ± 2 clinic visits over a treatment duration of 30 ± 19 weeks.

Conclusion: Mild pilonidal disease may be resolved with improved hygiene, pit excision, and laser epilation with minimal morbidity and no activity restrictions. Adoption of this approach may keep a large number of patients with pilonidal disease from undergoing unindicated resection.