Outpatient Treatment of Pilonidal Disease with a 1470nm Diode Laser; Initial Experience

Background: Pilonidal sinus disease affects young people and most commonly men. Although a significant number of treatment methods to cure this disease are still in use in every-day clinical practice, there is still no consensus as to which of these methods is closer to ideal in offering definite treatment. During the last decades, a number of less invasive or non-surgical methods for pilonidal sinus treatment that were first described half a century ago have regained popularity, whilst new techniques have evolved with promising results. Methods: This small case series study including 5 patients suffering from both primary and recurrent pilonidal disease was undertaken in order to present the initial experience with the use of a diode laser technique (1470 nm wavelength through a radial fiber) for treating primary and recurrent sinuses. Results: All 5 patients were treated successfully on an outpatient basis under local anaesthesia, receiving no antibiotics or painkillers after discharge. At 6 months complete follow-up, no recurrence was documented. Conclusions: Pilonidal cyst obliteration with laser application seems to be a simple, safe and successful treatment option for primary or recurrent pilonidal sinus disease. It should be considered as an alternative method against more extensive surgical procedures.