Laser Ablation of Pilonidal Sinus Disease: A Pilot Study.

BACKGROUND

Pilonidal disease is classically treated with wide local excision, although a number of minimally invasive approaches are currently under investigation. We aimed to determine the safety and feasibility of laser ablation of pilonidal sinus disease.

IMPACT OF INNOVATION: Laser ablation provides a minimally invasive means of obliterating pilonidal sinus tracts without a need for excessive tract dilation. Laser ablation can be performed more than once on the same patient if necessary.

TECHNOLOGY MATERIALS AND

METHODS

This technique uses the NeoV V1470 Diode Laser (neoLaser Ltd, Caesarea, Israel) with a 2-mm probe. We performed laser ablation in adults and pediatric patients.

PRELIMINARY

RESULTS

We performed 27 laser ablation procedures in 25 patients, with a median operative time of 30 minutes. Eighty percent of patients reported either no pain or mild pain at the 2-week postoperative visit. The median time to return to work or school was 3 days. Eighty-eight percent of patients reported being satisfied or very satisfied with the procedure at their most recent follow-up (median, 6 mo). Eighty-two percent of patients were healed at 6 months.

CONCLUSIONS AND FUTURE DIRECTIONS: Laser ablation of pilonidal disease is safe and feasible. Patients experienced short recovery time and reported low levels of pain and high levels of satisfaction.