Evaluation of 60 patients with pilonidal sinus treated with laser epilation after surgery.

BACKGROUND

The surgical treatments for pilonidal sinus disease often result in recurrences, and the patients risk requiring multiple surgical interventions.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the role of alexandrite laser hair removal after surgery in pilonidal sinus disease.

METHODS

Sixty patients who underwent surgical treatment of pilonidal sinus disease and were treated with a 755-nm alexandrite laser after surgery between 1999 and 2007 were examined retrospectively. The charts were reviewed, and the patients were interviewed on the telephone about their post-laser period and recurrence. The laser parameters, patient history, and surgical details were recorded.

RESULTS

The overall recurrence rate was 13.3%, after a mean follow-up period +/- standard error of the mean of 4.8 +/- 0.3 years. The mean number of laser treatment was 2.7 +/- 0.1. Seventy-five percent of the recurrences were detected after a follow-up period of 5 to 9 years. Fifty percent of the recurrent cases had drainage and secondary intention before the laser epilation.

CONCLUSION

Our results strongly suggest that laser hair removal after surgical interventions in pilonidal sinus disease decreases the risk of recurrence over the long term.