Debridement and Laser Ablation Versus Debridement Alone in Pilonidal Disease

Debridement and Laser Ablation Versus Debridement Alone in Pilonidal Disease: Retrospective Analysis of Mid-term Outcome

This study aims to investigate the effect of laser ablation (LA) in minimally invasive management of pilonidal disease (PD).

Data of the patients with PD who were eligible for simple debridement have been prospectively collected since March 2018, when laser ablation treatment came into use in our institution. Laser ablation treatment was offered to all eligible patients. All the patients underwent debridement (removal of hair and/or necrotic tissues through pits using a clamp/curette/brush) of PD; LA was added to the procedure in patients who were willing to have LA. The surgical outcome of two procedures was compared. The primary outcome measure was recurrence at 36 months.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Patients with Class III, IV, and V pilonidal disease according to Tezel Navicular Area Classification
• Patients who underwent debridement for pilonidal disease

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patients with acute abscess (Tezel Class II)
• Antibiotic use within 4 weeks before surgery
• Patients lost to follow-up at 3,7 and 30 days; 6, 12 and 36 months