A case report of sacrococcygeal foreign body presenting as pilonidal sinus.

Pilonidal disease occurs most commonly in those males who have to sit long hours at their work place e.g. online office workers or drivers. It is caused by piercing of broken hairs into the sacrococcygeal region which causes localised inflammation. Inflammation in this area due to any other foreign body is very rare. Among many treatment options for pilonidal sinus, instillation of crystalloid phenol showed promising results in terms of low recurrence rates, low post-operative complications and less healing time. Here, we present the case of a 13-year-old female student who had pilonidal sinus in sacrococcygeal region for six months and was unresponsive to multiple treatments. Later, on exploration it was revealed to contain a small foreign body of 3cm of hard straw of grass. The patient was treated with crystalloid phenol and on regular follow-up she was completely fine by the end of the third week.

Pilonidal Sinus Disease: An Analysis of the Factors Affecting Recurrence.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the success of treatment methods at reducing recurrence, the most important problem in pilonidal sinus disease (PSD), along with factors affecting the occurrence of PSD and posttreatment recurrence. METHODS: The researchers retrospectively analyzed files of patients treated for PSD between 2003 and 2018. Three study groups were created: G1, G2, and G3. G1 included all PSDs with recurrence, and a comparable number of cases without recurrence were selected randomly for the G2 group. The control group, G3, included healthy individuals without PSD. In all groups, the following were recorded: body mass index, skin color and oiliness, family history of PSD, hair overgrowth, smoking habit, time spent sitting per day, and number of baths per week. The following were additionally recorded for G1 and G2: treatment methods, follow-up periods, pretreatment abscess(es), and time of onset of complaints before treatment. The number of recurrences and the period between last treatment and recurrence were also recorded for G1. RESULTS: G1 comprised 234 patients; G2, 247 patients; and G3, 128 healthy individuals. The significant factors causing recurrence included body mass index, family history, bathing habits, hair overgrowth, skin color and oiliness, time spent sitting per day, smoking habit, abscess(es), and duration of symptom(s) (P < .05). Limberg flap repair was the most successful treatment method. Sixty-three (27%), 135 (58%), and 185 (79%) recurrences occurred in the first 6 months, in the first year, and in the first 2 years, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The researchers recommend Limberg flap repair for treatment. It is possible to reduce recurrence by taking preventable factors into consideration.

Pilonidal sinus disease: an intergluteal localization of hidradenitis suppurativa/acne inversa: a cross-sectional study among 2465 patients.

BACKGROUND: Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS), also referred to as acne inversa, is a debilitating skin disease characterized by inflammatory nodules, chronic abscesses and tunnels (fistulae and sinuses). The association with pilonidal sinus disease (PSD) is frequently reported but not well documented. OBJECTIVES: To determine the prevalence and characteristics of inflammatory skin lesions located in the intergluteal fold (IGF) of patients with HS. METHODS: This was an international multicentre retrospective cross-sectional study based on data collection from a large cohort of patients with HS with and without histopathology. Results From a total of 2465 patients with HS included in the study, 661 (27%) reported lesions in the IGF. These patients were significantly more often smokers and had more severe HS. Of the 238 patients with an available clinical diagnosis, intergluteal-HS (IG-HS) was diagnosed in 52 patients (22%) and PSD was diagnosed in 186 patients (78%). IG-HS was associated with the localization of HS in the proximity of the IGF, including the buttocks, genitals and the anus. There was a possibility of misclassification bias in this study as a clinical/image-based diagnosis or histopathology of the IGF lesions was not always available. CONCLUSIONS: The high prevalence of PSD suggests a strong link between both entities. Therefore, it may be useful to identify common pathophysiological mechanisms and develop common therapeutic strategies. What's already known about this topic? The occurrence of pilonidal sinus disease has not been clearly reported among patients with hidradenitis suppurativa/acne inversa. What does this study add? This is the first study that investigated the prevalence of pilonidal sinus disease among a large cohort of patients and identified the patient characteristics. Risk factors that might help to improve the management of patients were identified.

Strength of Occipital Hair as an Explanation for Pilonidal Sinus Disease Caused by Intruding Hair.

BACKGROUND: Pilonidal sinus disease is thought to be caused by intrusion of hair into healthy skin; loose hair in the intergluteal fold is thought to promote disease. However, compelling evidence to support these postulates is lacking; the cause of pilonidal sinus disease remains uncertain. OBJECTIVE: To determine whether particular properties of hair are associated with susceptibility to pilonidal sinus disease, we compared physical properties of hairs of patients with pilonidal sinus disease with hairs from control subjects who were matched for sex, BMI, and age. DESIGN: This was an experimental study with establishment of a mechanical strength test for single hairs to quantify the maximum vertical force that a hair could exert, following tests of strength of occipital, lumbar, and intergluteal hair. SETTINGS: Hair from patients with pilonidal sinus disease and matched control subjects were harvested from patients of the St. Marienhospital Vechta Department of Procto-Surgery. PATIENTS: A total of 17 adult patients with pilonidal sinus disease and 217 control subjects were included. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: ANOVA and intraclass and interclass variations of data gained from mechanical strength tests of occipital, lumbar, and intergluteal hair were included. RESULTS: Vertical hair strength was significantly greater in patients with pilonidal sinus disease. Occipital hair exhibited 20% greater, glabella sacralis 1.1 times greater, and intergluteal hair 2 times greater strength in patients with pilonidal sinus disease than in matched control subjects (all p = 0.0001). In addition, patients with pilonidal sinus disease presented with significantly more hair at the glabella sacralis and in the intergluteal fold. LIMITATIONS: The study was limited by its relatively small number of patients from a specific cohort of European patients. CONCLUSIONS: Occipital hair exhibited considerable vertical strength. Because occipital hair exerted the greatest force and cut hair fragments were found in the pilonidal nest in large quantities, these data suggest that pilonidal sinus disease is promoted by occipital hair. See Video Abstract at http://links.lww.com/DCR/A435.

Fibrin glue for pilonidal sinus disease.

BACKGROUND: Pilonidal sinus disease is a common condition that mainly affects young adults. This condition can cause significant pain and impairment of normal activities. No consensus currently exists on the optimum treatment for pilonidal sinus and current therapies have various advantages and disadvantages. Fibrin glue has emerged as a potential treatment as both monotherapy and an adjunct to surgery. OBJECTIVES: To assess the effects of fibrin glue alone or in combination with surgery compared with surgery alone in the treatment of pilonidal sinus disease. SEARCH METHODS: In December 2016 we searched: the Cochrane Wounds Specialised Register; CENTRAL; MEDLINE; Embase and CINAHL Plus. We also searched clinical trials registries and conference proceedings for ongoing and unpublished studies and scanned reference lists to identify additional studies. There were no restrictions with respect to language, date of publication or study setting. SELECTION CRITERIA: We included randomised controlled trials (RCTs) only. We included studies involving participants of all ages and studies conducted in any setting. We considered studies involving people with both new and recurrent pilonidal sinus. We included studies which evaluated fibrin glue monotherapy or as an adjunct to surgery. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Two study authors independently extracted data and assessed risk of bias. We used standard methods expected by Cochrane. MAIN RESULTS: We included four RCTs with 253 participants, all were at risk of bias. One unpublished study evaluated fibrin glue monotherapy compared with Bascom's procedure, two studies evaluated fibrin glue as an adjunct to Limberg flap and one study evaluated fibrin glue as an adjunct to Karydakis flap.For fibrin glue monotherapy compared with Bascom's procedure, there were no data available for the primary outcomes of time to healing and adverse events. There was low-quality evidence of less pain on day one after the procedure with fibrin glue monotherapy compared with Bascom's procedure (mean difference (MD) -2.50, 95% confidence interval (CI) -4.03 to -0.97) (evidence downgraded twice for risk of performance and detection bias). Fibrin glue may reduce the time taken to return to normal activities compared with Bascom's procedure (mean time 42 days with surgery and 7 days with glue, MD -34.80 days, 95% CI -66.82 days to -2.78 days) (very low-quality evidence, downgraded as above and for imprecision).Fibrin glue as an adjunct to the Limberg flap may reduce the healing time from 22 to 8 days compared with the Limberg flap alone (MD -13.95 days, 95% CI -16.76 days to -11.14 days) (very low-quality evidence, downgraded twice for risk of selection, performance and detection bias and imprecision). It is uncertain whether use of fibrin glue affects the incidence of postoperative seroma (an adverse event) (risk ratio (RR) 0.27, 95% CI 0.05 to 1.61; very low-quality evidence, downgraded twice for risk of selection, performance and detection bias and imprecision). There was low-quality evidence that fibrin glue, as an adjunct to Limberg flap, may reduce postoperative pain (median 2 versus 4; P < 0.001) and time to return to normal activities (median 8 days versus 17 days; P < 0.001). The addition of fibrin glue to the Limberg flap may reduce the length of hospital stay (MD -1.69 days, 95% CI -2.08 days to -1.29 days) (very low-quality evidence, downgraded twice for risk of selection, performance and detection bias and for unexplained heterogeneity).A single RCT evaluating fibrin glue as an adjunct to the Karydakis flap did not report data for the primary outcome of time to healing. It is uncertain whether fibrin glue with the Karydakis flap affects the incidence of postoperative seroma (adverse event) (RR 3.00, 95% CI 0.67 to 13.46) (very low-quality evidence, downgraded twice for risk of selection, performance and detection bias and for imprecision). Fibrin glue as an adjunct to Karydakis flap may reduce length of stay but this is highly uncertain (mean 2 days versus 3.7 days; P < 0.001, low-quality evidence downgraded twice for risk of selection, performance and detection bias). AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: Current evidence is uncertain regarding any benefits associated with fibrin glue either as monotherapy or as an adjunct to surgery for people with pilonidal sinus disease. We identified only four RCTs and each was small and at risk of bias resulting in very low-quality evidence for the primary outcomes of time to healing and adverse events. Future studies should enrol many more participants, ensure adequate randomisation and blinding, whilst measuring clinically relevant outcomes.

Does Sacrococcygeal Angle Play a Role on Pilonidal Sinus Etiology?

The predisposing factors for the development of sacrococcygeal pilonidal disease (SPD) still remain undetermined. Here, we investigate the sacrococcygeal angle as a possible predisposing factor for the development of disease. Consecutive male patients admitted to our clinic with the diagnosis of SPD were included. Sex, age and BMI matched healthy controls without SPD were enrolled to the study. The predefined sacrococcygeal angles of patients and controls were measured on lateral pelvic radiographs by a single experienced radiologist. Thirty patients were included in each group. Sacrococcygeal angles of patients and control group were measured as 37.3±14.5 and 36.81±10.23 in patients and controls, respectively. The difference with respect to sacrococcygeal angle was not statistically significant between two groups. Sacrococcygeal angle which is the main skeletal determinant of intergluteal sulcus is not a predisposing factor for the development of sacrococcygeal pilonidal disease.

Multiple pilonidal sinuses of both hands in a dog groomer: A case report.

OBJECTIVE: Pilonidal sinus of the hand is an occupational hazard for barbers, cow milkers, sheep shearers and dog groomers. Here, we report on a dog groomer who had four pilonidal sinuses. CASE PRESENTATION: A 49-year-old woman working as a dog groomer complained of multiple non-erythematous and fluctuant nodules on both hands, associated with pain, which had been identified five years previously. On the skin of her right hand, three nodules were observed on the volar (diameter: 1.5 cm) and medial (diameter: 1.4 cm) sides of fifth metacarpophalangeal joint and the volar aspect of the distal phalanx of the small finger (diameter: 0.7 cm). On the left hand, a 2-cm diameter nodule was identified on the volar side of the fifth metacarpophalangeal joint region. The nodules were excised surgically. A 5-mm long hair was removed from one nodule. Histopathology confirmed pilonidal sinus, treated by excision. One month postoperatively, the wound had healed uneventfully. CONCLUSION: When nodules are found in dog groomers, clinicians should consider the possibility of pilonidal sinus disease.

Prevalence of sacrococcygeal pilonidal sinus as a silent disease.

PURPOSE: The aim of this research was to determine the prevalence of sacrococcygeal pilonidal sinus disease (SPSD) based on clinical examination and histopathological evaluation. METHODS: Between January 1, 2010 and December 30, 2010, 432 corpses were evaluated in the Istanbul Central Office of Forensic Medicine Institute of the Turkish Ministry of Health. RESULTS: 41 of the 432 cases (9.4 %) had SPSD-related findings. 20 (4.6 %) had at least one sinus tract (clinical SPSD) and all of them had at least three positive histopathologic parameters. 16 of 41 cases (3.7 %) were clinically normal but had at least three positive histopathologic parameters (silent SPSD). CONCLUSION: Prevalence of SPSD with clinical examination is 4.6 %. These data are according to the literature. But with inclusion of the silent cases, the prevalence rate increases to 8.3 %. We conclude that inflammatory process does not result in SPSD in nearly half of the cases.

Sacrococcygeal foreign body progressing with pilonidal sinus clinical picture: report of a case.

BACKGROUND: Pilonidal sinus is a benign anorectal disease that is frequently seen in the sacrococcygeal area when a foreign body reaction develops after the invasion of hair follicles. OBJECTIVES: Trauma in this region and clinical abscesses that recur after trauma due to foreign bodies are not frequently observed. CASE REPORT: This study presents the case of a patient with chronic leakage who had a history of three surgical procedures due to recurrent pilonidal abscesses and the presence of a foreign body in the sacrococcygeal area. CONCLUSION: The presence of a foreign body in cases progressing with a single and wide inlet and frequently recurring abscess formation is a condition of which to be aware.

Simple day-case surgery for pilonidal sinus disease.

BACKGROUND: Pilonidal disease is a common and usually minor disease. Although wide excisional surgery has been common practice, there are more simple alternatives. This review focused on the aetiology and management of pilonidal disease. METHODS: A comprehensive review of the literature on pilonidal disease was undertaken. MEDLINE searches for all articles listing pilonidal disease (1980-2010) were performed to determine the aetiology and results of surgical and non-surgical treatments. Single papers describing new techniques or minor modifications of established techniques were excluded. Further articles were traced through reference lists. RESULTS: Patients with minimal symptoms and those having drainage of a single acute abscess can be treated expectantly. Non-surgical treatments may be of value but their long-term results are unknown. There is no rational basis or need for wide excision of the abscess and sinus. Simple removal of midline skin pits, the primary cause of pilonidal disease, with lateral drainage of the abscess and sinus is effective in most instances. Hirsute patients with extensive primary disease and deep natal clefts, or with recurrent disease and unhealed midline wounds, may also require flattening of the natal cleft with off-midline skin closure. These more conservative procedures are usually done as a day case, require minimal care in the community and are associated with a rapid return to work. They also avoid the occasional debilitating complications of surgical treatment. CONCLUSION: Simple day-case surgery to eradicate midline skin pits without wide excision of the abscesses and sinus is rational, safe and effective for patients with pilonidal sinus disease.

Sinus excision and primary closure versus laying open in pilonidal disease: a prospective randomized trial.

BACKGROUND: Surgical excision is the standard treatment for chronic pilonidal disease, but all excisional techniques are associated with tissue loss, risk of wound break down, and chronic healing problems. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to compare sinus excision and primary closure vs a laying open technique in a prospective randomized trial. DESIGN, PATIENTS, AND INTERVENTIONS: Eighty patients were randomly assigned to sinus excision and primary closure (n = 39) or laying open (n = 41). Follow-up was performed 1, 3, and 12 months after surgery. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: The main outcome measure was the healing rate after 1 year. RESULTS: The healing rate was significantly higher after excision and closure than after laying open at 1 month (20 of 39 vs 8 of 41; P = .005) and 3 months (36 of 38 vs 28 of 39; P = .013) after surgery. At follow-up 12 months after surgery no difference was seen in healing rate between the treatment arms (33 of 37 vs 37 of 38; P = .198). CONCLUSIONS: This prospective randomized trial shows that sinus excision and primary closure results in faster healing than laying open does, but there is no difference in healing rate after 1 year. The laying open procedure is minimally invasive with small risks for the patient, and it might therefore be considered more frequently as the first choice of treatment (www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT00997048).

Perineal pilonidal sinus after an antero-posterior resection of rectum: case report.

INTRODUCTION: Pilonidal sinus is common in sacroiliac region and occasionally occurs in the interdigital web space. METHOD: We describe an unusual case of an acquired implantation pilonidal sinus involving the perineal wound which occurred after an anteroposterior resection of the rectum. RESULT/DISCUSSION: This patient was successfully treated by excision of the sinuses. Recognition and treatment of this condition may cure the patient with a persistent post operative perineal sinus.

[Trends in incidence and long-term recurrence rate of pilonidal sinus disease and analysis of associated influencing factors].

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the trends in incidence and long-term recurrence rate of pilonidal sinus disease (PSD) within the German Armed Forces, and analyse the influence of variable factors, such as different surgical methods, body constitution and smoking amount, to incidence and long-term recurrence rate of PSD. METHODS: Information of all the patients being admitted with primary PSD to the surgical departments of three hospitals of the German Armed Forces between 1980 and 1996 was collected and analyzed, 500 patients of which were interviewed. RESULTS: Two of the 500 patients were dead, and every one of the rest 498 patients agreed to take part in the interview. The incidence of PSD rose from 0.3/1000 in 1985 to 2.4/1000 in 2007. The recurrence rates were decreasing within 16 years of treatment from 33% in 1981 via 23% in 1986 to 12% in 1996 (P = 0.01). Recurrence rates of primary open wound healing (16.8%) compared to primary suture (31.0%) differ significantly (P < 0.01). While the mean body weight within the army rose 1 kg per decade, population shows an increase of 1.9 kg per decade though not being an influencing factor on the recurrence rate (P = 0.72). Smoking of more than 20 cigarettes per day proved to be a significant factor on the recurrence rate of PSD (P = 0.015). CONCLUSION: While the recurrence rates-especially of primary open wound treatment-decreased, the incidence of PSD rose nearly tenfold.

Rethinking the causes of pilonidal sinus disease: a matched cohort study.

Our understanding of pilonidal sinus disease (PSD) is based on a paper published 29 years ago by Karydakis. Since then, surgeons have been taught that hair more easily penetrates wet skin, leading to the assumption that sweating promotes PSD. This postulate, however, has never been proven. Thus we used pilocarpine iontophoresis to assess sweating in the glabella sacralis. 100 patients treated for PSD and 100 controls were matched for sex, age and body mass index (BMI). Pilocarpine iontophoresis was performed for 5 min, followed by 15 min of sweat collection. PSD patients sweated less than their matched pairs (18.4 ± 1.6 µl vs. 24.2 ± 2.1 µl, p = 0.03). Men sweated more than women (22.2 ± 1.2 µl vs. 15.0 ± 1.0 µl in non-PSD patients (p < 0.0001) and 20.0 ± 1.9 µl vs. 11.9 ± 2.0 µl in PSD patients (p = 0.051)). And regular exercisers sweated more than non-exercisers (29.1 ± 2.9 µl vs. 18.5 ± 1.6 µl, p = 0.0006 for men and 20.7 ± 2.3 µl vs. 11.4 ± 1.4 µl, p = 0.0005 for women). PSD patients sweat less than matched controls. Thus sweating may have a protective effect in PSD rather than being a risk factor.

Treatment of pilonidal sinuses in Denmark is not optimal.

INTRODUCTION: The standard treatments of chronic pilonidal sinuses (PS) were previously wide excision with primary midline closure or open treatment by non-specialist surgeons resulting in high rates of unhealed wounds and recurrences. An evidence-based shift from the now obsolete midline procedures towards off-line procedures seems to have occurred over the past 3-4 years. We decided to analyse the present state of PS treatment in Denmark. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A questionnaire was sent to all public hospitals and private clinics potentially treating PS. It included questions on the volume of procedures, experience of surgeons, and methods of anaesthesia and procedures in different cases. RESULTS: The questionnaire was answered by 37 departments (response rate 95%) in public hospitals and by 92 private clinics (response rate 84%). Off-midline closure was performed in 75% of the public departments, but some of these are also still performing midline surgery in some case. A total of 54% of the public departments are still performing midline surgery in some cases. Local analgesia is used in only 41% of the departments, and in 58% of these departments, local analgesia is used in fewer than 10% of the cases. In 11 (39%) departments, elective PS is performed by one or two surgeons, and there is a significant relation (p = 0.033) between low experience and large number of PS surgeons per department. Midline surgery seems to be performed in departments with more PS surgeons. CONCLUSION: Too many surgeons are still performing obsolete midline surgery. National guidelines are needed. The number of cases treated under local analgesia is unsatisfactorily low.

Pilonidal sinus disease: a review. Part one.

This article is in two parts. The overall aim is to review the literature relating to the management of pilonidal sinus disease and to explore the impact the disease has on those who suffer with it, predominantly young people. Part one reviews the literature and provides the rationale for the study design. Part two will detail the study and outline implications for practice. In addition to stimulating debate of the pathophysiology of pilonidal sinus disease and its surgical management, most importantly, this study is designed to increase understanding of the impact the disease has on young people and the professional lessons that can be learned to support those who live with it over many months and sometimes years.