Treatment of the pilonidal sinus in children using laser radiation

Abstract

The work carried out a comparative analysis of the results of surgical treatment of the epithelial-coccygeal course of ECC in 133 children aged 3 to 17 years, using laser-induced interstitial thermotherapy (LIT) and open excision. Comparative analysis was carried out according to the following criteria: duration of surgery, average time of hospital stay, duration of pain syndrome on a 10-point scale (VAS), the presence of complications in the early and late postoperative period. In the main group, the average time of hospital stay was 4.9 ± 0.3; the duration of surgical treatment was 17.2 ± 2.8 minutes. The duration of the pain syndrome was 5.3 ± 2.1 hours, and its severity was 2.7 ± 0.8 points. Average terms of epithelialization of fistulas are 3.1 ± 2.8 days. Recurrence of ECC was observed in 7 patients (11.7%), which required re-intervention. In 3 (5.0%) patients, LIT was used, and in 4 (6.7%), excision using plastics according to the Bascom method. In the comparison group, the duration of surgical treatment was 32.6 ± 5.4 minutes. The duration of inpatient treatment is 16.7 ± 1.4 days. Pain syndrome averaged 71.8 ± 11.9 hours, severity 6.5 ± 2.3 points. The number of relapses was 9 (12.3%), of which 5 (6.8%) children underwent laser treatment, and 4 (5.5%) repeated surgical excision with Bascom with recovery. This technique is an effective and minimally invasive method for treating ECC, which makes it possible to recommend this method for use in pediatric surgical practice.