Sequential, ultrasound-guided, minimally invasive pit-picking procedure with Nd:YAG laser epilation treatment for pilonidal disease

Abstract

<b><br>Aim:</b> The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate our treatment for pilonidal disease in adolescent patients, which uses ultrasonography, minimally invasive pit-picking, and Nd:YAG laser therapy.</br> <b><br>Material and methods:</b> We included 52 of 147 patients treated between June 2017 and December 2020. The patients underwent pit-picking procedures and 6–10 Nd:YAG treatments. The remnants of the cysts were removed by laser therapy, which provided easy epilation. Each patient underwent multiple ultrasound examinations during the therapy to uncover any potential newly formed asymptomatic sinuses. When such issues were identified, the pit-picking procedure was repeated on those sinuses.</br> <b><br>Results:</b> A total of 52 patients were included in this study with a 1-year follow-up following the procedure. There were 49 symptom-free patients (96%). One patient underwent surgery in another hospital because of a recurrence and 1 had a pilonidal disease relapse (4%). In the follow-up period, asymptomatic cysts were found in 2 other patients by ultrasound examination. They were all treated with a pit-picking procedure in the outpatient department with good results.</br> <b><br>Conclusions:</b> Combining sequentially repeated pit-picking procedures and Nd:YAG laser therapy is an effective treatment method for adolescent pilonidal disease. Simultaneous Nd:YAG laser therapy enables efficacious epilation of the intergluteal cleft. Repeatable ultrasonography examinations allow for early diagnosis of possible pilonidal sinus relapse.</br>