Effect of hair removal by Nd:YAG laser on the recurrence of pilonidal sinus.

BACKGROUND

Pilonidal sinus (PNS) is chronic inflammatory process of the skin in the natal cleft. Management of PNS is mainly surgical. Although different types of surgery have been performed, the recurrence rate is still high.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the effectiveness of laser hair removal (LHR) in the natal cleft area on the recurrence rate of PNS as an adjuvant therapy after surgical treatment.

METHODS

Twenty five patients with PNS were included in this study. Fifteen patients underwent LHR treatment using Nd:YAG laser after surgical excision of PNS (Patients group) while ten subjects with PNS did not do LHR and served as a control group.

RESULTS

All of the patients were male patients. Their age ranged from 17 to 29 years with a mean of 21.60 +/- 3.13 years. They had Fitzpatrick skin type III, IV and V. The patients have got 3 to 8 sessions of LHR (mean 4.87 +/- 1.64). Follow up period lasted between 12 to 23 months. None of the patients, who underwent LHR, has required further surgical treatment to date. Seven patients out of ten in the control group have developed recurrent PNS. Pain was the most frequent side effect and it was seen in 6 patients (40%).

CONCLUSION

LHR can prevent the recurrence of PNS. LHR should be advised as an essential adjuvant treatment after surgical excision of PNS. In non-complicated recurrent PNS, LHR is strongly advocated to be started before and continued after doing surgical treatment.