Previously operated recurrent pilonidal sinus treated with crystallized phenol: Twenty-year experience in a cohort study.

Objectives: Postoperative recurrent pilonidal sinus disease is troublesome, and its treatment is a challenge. In this study, it was aimed to present the long-term efficacy of crystallized phenol treatment on postoperative recurrent pilonidal sinus disease through our results collected within the last 20 years. Material and Methods: Two hundred and twenty-seven patients who had been previously operated on and suffered from recurrent pilonidal sinus disease were enrolled. The operation was applied in our outpatient clinic under local anesthesia. Demographic data of the patients, number of crystallized phenol treatment, duration of follow-up and recurrence numbers were prospectively recorded. Treatment success and factors affecting recurrence were examined. Results: Our success rate was found as 71.5%. This success rate belongs to the group of patients who never quit treatment and complied with the treatment. The patients were followed up for a mean 45.8 months. Of the post-crystallized phenol treatment recurrences, 72.4% took place within the first five years, while 97.4% did so within the first 10 years. Mean number of crystallized phenol applications was 2.6. The longer the duration of the disease before treatment, the more recurrence was observed after treatment (p= 0.02). There was no correlation between the number of previous operations and recurrence after treatment. As the number of sinus openings increased, so did the number of applications (p= 0.001). Conclusion: Crystallized phenol treatment yields promising long-term results in recurrent pilonidal sinus disease as well and may be recommended as the first choice in recurrent pilonidal sinus disease treatment since it is an effective non-operative treatment modality.

The role of collagen type I/III ratio in the etiology of sacrococcygeal pilonidal.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to investigate whether there was a difference between the midline skin and the healthy skin in the lateral by means of total amount of collagen and Type I/III ratio which was the indicator of the collagen structure. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Fifty patients with pilonidal sinus disease were enrolled. Samples were prepared from the midline skin of the sinus where the holes were located and lateral skin of the resected material. RESULTS: It was determined that the lateral line had significantly more collagen intensity and a higher collagen Type I/III ratio (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: One of the reasons why hair mostly pricks into the midline in the intergluteal sulcus in pilonidal sinus disease is the fact that the amount of total collagen and collagen Type I/III ratio of the midline are lower than those of the lateral tissue. Complications are more common in cases with low Type I/III ratio and low total collagen rates.

OBJETIVO: El propósito de este estudio es investigar si existía diferencia entre la piel de la línea media y la piel sana en el lateral por medio de la cantidad total de colágeno y la relación Tipo I/III que era el indicador de la estructura del colágeno. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Se inscribieron 50 pacientes con enfermedad del seno pilonidal. Se prepararon muestras de la piel de la línea media del seno donde se ubicaron los orificios y de la piel lateral del material resecado. RESULTADOS: Se determinó que la línea lateral tenía significativamente más intensidad de colágeno y una mayor relación de colágeno Tipo I/III (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONES: Una de las razones por las que el cabello se pincha principalmente en la línea media en el surco interglúteo en la enfermedad del seno pilonidal es el hecho de que la cantidad de colágeno total y la relación de colágeno tipo I/III de la línea media son menores que las del tejido lateral. Las complicaciones son más comunes en los casos con una proporción baja de Tipo I/III y tasas bajas de colágeno total.

Long-term outcomes of crystallized phenol application for the treatment of pilonidal sinus disease.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to better demonstrate the long-term outcomes and effectiveness of crystallized phenol treatment (CPT) by presenting our 20 years experience. METHODS: One thousand and twenty-six patients who have primer pilonidal sinus were enrolled. The operation was applied outpatient clinic under local anesthesia. Recurrence rate, application number, healing time, and factors affecting them were analyzed. RESULTS: The success rate was 84.3%. The mean number of CPT applications was 2.1 and the mean recovery time was 8.9 weeks. The rate of recurrence was higher in patients with a long disease duration prior to initiating treatment (p = .04). The rate of recurrence was higher in patients with a higher number of opening and CPT application, those with longer application time, and those with a positive family history (respectively p = .01, p = .002, p = .008). CONCLUSIONS: Long-term outcomes are also very successful in the treatment of pilonidal disease with CPT. We believe that CPT should be the first choice in the treatment of pilonidal disease because it is inexpensive, can be applied as an outpatient treatment, is a noninvasive procedure, has results comparable to surgical procedures, and does not cause loss of work and strength.

Is Hair Removal Necessary after Crystallized Phenol Treatment in Pilonidal Disease?

OBJECTIVE: The most important cause of posttreatment recurrence of pilonidal sinus disease (PSD) is the reentry of hair into the skin. The study aimed to investigate the effect of hair removal and its duration on the prevention of recurrence after crystallized phenol treatment. SUBJECT AND METHODS: Patients with PSD who were treated with crystallized phenol treatment were evaluated. Hair in the sacrococcygeal area was removed with depilatory cream before every crystallized phenol procedure, during the treatment, and after treatment once a month for 6 years. Of 1,016 patients, 735 were contacted by telephone or e-mail regarding the frequency of sacrococcygeal hair removal and recurrence. Demographic and sinus features and crystallized phenol application data of patients treated with crystallized phenol for PSD, as well as recurrences were retrospectively assessed. RESULTS: The mean follow-up time was 46.23 ± 33 (range, 11-240) months, with 139 (18.9%) patients experiencing recurrence. Patients who underwent hair removal experienced significantly less recurrence than those who did not (p = 0.003, odds ratio [OR]: 0.54 [95% CI: 0.36-0.82]). The OR of recurrence decreased by 0.8% every month as the hair removal time increased (OR: 0.992, 95% CI: 0.985-1.000, p = 0.049). The cutoff value for sensitivity was 0.636, specificity 0.466, and area under the curve 0.562 in hair removal procedures that lasted for over 30 months. CONCLUSION: Regular hair removal during, and at least 30 months after, crystallized phenol treatment reduced recurrences in patients with PSD.

Crystallized phenol for sacral hidradenitis suppurativa.

OBJECTIVE: Multiple treatment options for hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) have been suggested; none 100% successful. We assessed crystallized phenol treatment (CPT) for sacral HS. METHODS: Twenty-five patients with sacral HS were enrolled. HS severity was assessed by Hurley Score and HS-Physician's Global Assessment (HS-PGA). All the leaking openings were dilated by a thin mosquito clamp after local anesthesia. Any hair present was removed, and phenol was applied. RESULTS: Patients were followed-up for a mean 36.8 months. The mean number of CPT application was 3.98. After CPT mean Hurley score decreased from 2.1 ± 0.68 to 1.2 ± 0.4 and HS-PGA score from 3 ± 1.22 to 0.72 ± 8.4 (p = .01). Recurrence was seen in 10 patients during follow-up period but they were re-treated with CPT. CONCLUSION: CPT may be useful as a first-line treatment of sacral HS.

Evaluation of the efficacy of platelet-rich plasma in preventing postoperative intraabdominal adhesions.

OBJECTIVES: Postoperative intraabdominal adhesions still maintain their currency as serious causes of morbidity and mortality. This study aimed at evaluating the role of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) in the prevention of intraabdominal adhesions. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 16 healthy rabbits were used within the scope of the study. The animals were allocated into two groups as Group 1 (control group) and Group 2 (study group). In all subjects, cecal abrasion was formed by laparotomy. In the study group, platelet rich plasma was administered intraabdominally. At the end of the study, the adhesions were evaluated by Nair's Score. RESULTS: Total adhesion score in Group 1 was 8, while the mean score was 1. On the other hand, total adhesion score in Group 2 was 12, while the mean score was 1.5. There was no statistical difference between both groups by total adhesion score and mean fibrosis score. However, mean scores for inflammatory cell infiltration and angiogenesis were higher in Group 2 and the differences were statistically significant (p= 0.021). CONCLUSION: We were not able to report the positive results of PRP; however, we believe that we shed an important light for future studies which might be conducted using the combination of different methods.

Comparison of minimally invasive preperitoneal (MIP) single-layer mesh repair and total extraperitoneal (TEP) repair for inguinal hernia in terms of postoperative chronic pain: a prospective randomized trial.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to compare minimally invasive preperitoneal (MIP) single layer mesh repair with total extraperitoneal (TEP) inguinal hernia repair in terms of complications, recurrence, and chronic pain. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 240 patients who underwent elective, primary, unilateral inguinal hernia operation between April 2011 and September 2012 were divided into two randomized groups. The first group underwent MIP repair and the second group underwent TEP repair. Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and Sheffield Scale (SS) were used to evaluate chronic pain. RESULTS: In all, 225 (95%) of the patients completed follow-up and were included in analyses. A significant difference was not detected between groups in terms of demographics, operative time, or intraoperative, early, or late complications. Length of time before return to work was significantly shorter in the TEP group (p <0.001). Recurrence was seen in 1 (0.88%) patient in the MIP group and 1 (0.89%) patient in the TEP group (p= 0.993). Evaluation of chronic pain revealed no significant difference between groups in VAS and SS values at postoperative 6th, 12th, and 24th months. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, it was observed that MIP repair for inguinal hernia has all of the advantages of preperitoneal repair and eliminates disadvantages of TEP repair. MIP technique is as safe as TEP repair and has similar qualities in terms of chronic pain, even though it is an open intervention.

Clinical importance of fibulin-5 immunohistochemical staining in breast lesions.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical importance of fibulin-5, which has been shown to display tumour-promoting and tumour-protective functions in breast lesions. Sixty-two breast cancer patients, 19 patients with fibroadenoma, and 15 healthy breast tissues were enrolled. Forty-seven patients had invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC) (12 of them also had in situ carcinoma DCIS), and 15 had invasive lobular carcinoma (ILC). A scoring system from 0 to 4 was used to evaluate the fibulin-5 staining according to the percentage of stained cells. The median values of fibulin-5 staining scores of the breast cancer, fibroadenoma, and healthy breast tissues were 2 (range: 0-4), 3 (range: 3-4), and 4 (range: 1-4), respectively, and the difference is statistically significant (p = 0.0001). There was no significant difference between the fibulin-5 scores of IDC, ILC, and DCIS. Fifteen patients with triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) had the lowest fibulin-5 score (p < 0.0001). The median fibulin-5 scores of the patients according to Ki-67 index ≥ 14% and < 14% were 2 (range: 1-5) and 4 (range: 1-5), respectively, and the difference is statistically significant (p = 0.001). These data can be explained by the inhibitory effect of fibulin-5 on epithelial cell proliferation, which is closely related to differentiation and prognosis.

Predictive value of preoperative neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio while detecting bowel resection in hernia with intestinal incarceration.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between preoperative hematological inflammatory markers of the patients who underwent a surgery for incarcerated hernia and intestinal resection requirement. METHODS: The data of 102 patients who underwent a surgery for incarcerated hernia were retrospectively evaluated. Whole blood cell counts were preoperatively measured, and operation types and pathology results were recorded. The patients with intestinal resections were compared with those without any resection in terms of leukocyte number, neutrophil rate, red cell distribution width (RDW), platelet distribution width, neutrophil-to lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet to lymphocyte ratio (PLR), and mean platelet volume (MPV). RESULTS: Eighty-one patients were operated for incarcerated groin hernia, 17 for incarcerated umbilical hernia, and 4 for incarcerated incisional hernia. Twenty-six patients (25%) had intestinal resections; in 4 of them, intestinal perforation was detected. In patients with intestinal resections,the neutrophil rate, PDW, NLR, and PLR values were significantly higher than those in the patients without any resections. CONCLUSION: High NLR rates, certainly with clinical correlation, can be used as a biomarker to predict intestinal necrosis and the need for intestinal resection in patients who will undergo surgery for incarcerated hernia, particularlyin situations with lacking radiological imaging methods.

Is the superior laryngeal nerve really safe when using harmonic focus in total thyroidectomy? A prospective randomized study.

BACKGROUND: Harmonic focus (HF) was introduced in thyroid surgery in an effort to reduce operation time and complications. OBJECTIVE: The present study aimed to compare function of superior laryngeal nerve and incidence of other postoperative complications in total thyroidectomies using HF and conventional ligation (CL). METHODS: The trial is a randomized single-center, single-blinded study. Patients aged ≥ 18 years scheduled for total thyroidectomy were considered for participation. An ultrasonic dissector was used for coagulation and cutting in the HF group, while the standard technique was used in the CL group. Demographic, surgical data, and complications were recorded. Data were analyzed using SPSS for Windows. RESULTS: Of 244 eligible patients, data of 206 patients who completed the study were analyzed. The groups were similar in terms of age, sex, and indication for operation. The mean operative time in the HF group was significantly shorter than that in CL group (p=0.01). Drain necessity, duration of drainage, duration of postoperative hospitalization, and the incidence of postoperative complications was similar in the groups (p>0.05). The external branch of the superior laryngeal nerve and recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy were noted in three and two patients in the HF group and in two and one patients in the CL group at 6 months. CONCLUSION: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study comparing conventional technique with HF in total thyroidectomy, focusing on the function of the external branch of the superior laryngeal nerve using laryngostroboscopy; results showed that HF is as safe as the conventional technique.

Phenol Injection Versus Excision With Open Healing in Pilonidal Disease: A Prospective Randomized Trial.

BACKGROUND: Minimally invasive procedures may be an alternative to surgical excisions for pilonidal disease. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to compare phenol injection versus excision with open healing technique. DESIGN: This is a prospective randomized study (ACTRN12612000868886). SETTINGS: This study was conducted at the Ankara University and Ufuk University Departments of Surgery. PATIENTS: One hundred forty patients were randomly assigned to phenol injection (n = 70) or excision with open healing (n = 70). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary end point of the study was the time to complete wound healing. Secondary end points were visual analog scale pain score, painkiller intake, time to resume daily activities, recurrence rate, Short Form 36 Health Survey, and Nottingham Health Profile at 3 weeks after surgery. RESULTS: Time to complete wound healing (16.2 ± 8.7 versus 40.1 ± 9.7 days) was significantly in favor of the phenol injection group (p < 0.001). The median operation time was 14.0 ± 3.8 minutes in the phenol group versus 49.0 ± 24.2 minutes in the excision with open healing group (p < 0.001). The time to resume daily activities (pain-free mobilization and defecation) was 0.8 ± 2.8 and 16.2 ± 12.6 hours after phenol injection and 9.3 ± 10.0 and 22.5 ± 15.1 hours after the excision with open healing treatment (p < 0.001, p = 0.008). Visual analog pain score at 48 hours and painkiller intake within 48 hours were significantly in favor of the phenol injection group. At the mean follow-up of 39.2 ± 9.0 months after surgery, no differences were seen in the recurrence rate between the treatment arms (13 recurrences in phenol vs 9 in excision with open healing; p = not significant). Short Form 36 and Nottingham Health Profile scores at 3 weeks after surgery were also in favor of phenol injection. LIMITATIONS: The present study was not double blinded, and a history of abscess drainage was significantly higher in the surgery group. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the results, we conclude that phenol injection is as effective as the excision with open healing technique.

Gastric Metastasis of Triple Negative Invasive Lobular Carcinoma.

Invasive lobular carcinomas are the second most common type (5% to 15%) of invasive breast carcinomas. The most frequent sites of breast cancer metastasis are the local and distant lymph nodes, brain, lung, liver, and bones; metastasis to the gastrointestinal system, especially to the stomach, is rare. When a mass is detected in an unusual place in a patient with invasive lobular carcinoma, it should be kept in mind that such a mass may be either a second primary carcinoma or the metastasis of an invasive lobular carcinoma. In this report, we present a case of gastric metastasis from triple-negative invasive lobular breast cancer. It is important to make an accurate diagnosis by distinguishing gastric metastasis from breast cancer in order to select the best initial treatment for systemic diseases of breast cancer. Considering our case, healthcare professionals should take into account that cases with invasive lobular breast cancer may experience unusual metastases.

Total oxidant status, total antioxidant status, and paraoxonase activity in acute appendicitis.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to investigate the levels of oxidative stress including total oxidant status, total antioxidant status, and paraoxonase activity in patients with a diagnosis of acute appendicitis. METHODS: Seventy-three patients who underwent surgery with a preoperative diagnosis of acute appendicitis (Group I) were included into the study. The control group (Group II) consisted of thirty otherwise healthy subjects. After histopathologic examination, the patients were categorized as follows: 1) Acute focal appendicitis, 2) Acute advanced appendicitis including acute suppurative, phlegmonous and gangrenous appendicitis, 3) Acute perforated appendicitis, 4) Sub-acute appendicitis, and 5) Negative exploration. Blood samples for paraoxonase activities, and total oxidant and antioxidant status levels were obtained preoperatively. RESULTS: Total oxidant and antioxidant status of the patients in the acute appendicitis group were higher than those of the control group. When paraoxonase activities of Group I was compared with Group II, no significant difference was determined. Both total oxidant and antioxidant status levels of acute perforated appendicitis were higher than those of both acute focal appendicitis and acute advanced appendicitis. CONCLUSION: The increase in the oxidative status (total oxidant and antioxidant status) was related with the progression of inflammation to the perforation in acute appendicitis.

Bilateral breast necrosis due to local injection of fish oil.

The breast is as aesthetically important as it is physiologically. Physicians and women have practiced various methods for breast aesthetics and augmentation. We report a female veterinarian who injected fish oil into her breast, which led to inflammation and necrosis of breast tissue. When all medical therapies failed, bilateral subcutaneous mastectomy was performed. We did not find a case in the literature where fish oil had been used for breast augmentation. However, we did find that many agents have been injected for breast augmentation, the results of which were tragic, just as the case presented herein.

Lateral internal sphincterotomy versus 0.25 % isosorbide dinitrate ointment for chronic anal fissures: a prospective randomized controlled trial.

PURPOSE: To compare the healing properties of lateral internal sphincterotomy (LIS) and isosorbide dinitrate (ISDN) ointment for chronic anal fissure. METHODS: Patients with a chronic anal fissure were randomly assigned to a group treated with ISDN ointment (n = 105) or a group treated with LIS (n = 102). The same investigators examined the patients in a blinded manner, 1, 2, 3, 6, and 12 months after the treatments. RESULTS: The anal fissure had healed completely by 4 weeks in 64.7 versus 92.2 %, and by 6 months in 77.1 versus 97.1 % of the ISDN and LIS group patients, respectively. At 12 months, the recurrence rates were 4.8 versus 1 % for the ISDN and LIS groups, respectively, and the success rates of the treatments were 72.4 versus 96.1 %, respectively. Six patients in the LIS group experienced minor fecal incontinence, and seven (6.7 %) patients in the ISDN group experienced headaches that responded well to paracetamol. CONCLUSION: ISDN ointment was reported by all patients to be easy to use. Although its success rate was lower than that of surgery, ISDN can be offered to selected patients with a chronic anal fissure, as it has a low recurrence rate and rare side effects are rare.

Is total-subtotal colectomy and primary anastomosis a good treatment alternative in malignant obstructive lesions of the left colon?

BACKGROUND: This study was designed in order to compare the effectiveness of subtotal-total colectomy with other surgical methods in the treatment of malignant obstructive lesions of the left colon. METHODS: Patients admitting with symptoms of colonic obstruction and treated by emergency surgery in Konya Education and Research Hospital between 2004 and 2007 were enrolled. Patients were divided into three groups according to the surgical procedures (Group I: Hartmann procedure; Group II: resection + diverting ileostomy; Group III: total-subtotal colectomy). Related patient data were evaluated retrospectively. RESULTS: The mean age of 62 patients was 64 (38-89) years. There were no significant differences between the groups with respect to gender, age, American Society of Anesthesiology scores, and tumor stages. There were no significant differences between the study groups in terms of operative duration, postoperative mortality, and five-year survival; however, the length of hospital stay and hospitalization costs were lower in Group III compared to the other groups. CONCLUSION: We suggest that subtotal-total colectomy performed by experienced surgeons may be a good alternative to the other procedures.

The efficiency of various doses of topical isosorbide dinitrate in the treatment of chronic anal fissure and the long-term results: a prospective, randomized and controlled clinical trial.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: In recent years, numerous studies have reported that the application of topical isosorbide dinitrate can cause fissure recovery with the relaxation of the internal anal sphincter. However, there is no consensus about the dose or duration of the drugs to be applied. In addition, long-term results of the patients with chronic anal fissure treated with nitrate-containing compounds are unknown. In this study, the goal was to investigate the effects of various doses of isosorbide dinitrate on chronic anal fissure and their long-term effects. METHODS: Seventy-five sequential patients with chronic anal fissure were divided into three groups. Only symptomatic treatments were applied to patients in the first group (n=15). The patients in second and third groups (n=30 each) were treated with topical isosorbide dinitrate 5% and 10%, respectively. The patients were examined three times at 20-day intervals. Five years later, 44 patients who were responsive to treatment were contacted by telephone. RESULTS: The rate of full response in the 10% isosorbide dinitrate group was statistically higher than of the 5% isosorbide dinitrate group on the 20th day (53.3% vs. 26.7%, p<0.05). However, the rate of full response did not differ between these groups on the 40th and 60th days (63.3% and 70% vs. 56.7% and 63.3%, p>0.05). Five years later, 52.3% of patients who were responsive to treatment had a symptomatic relapse. CONCLUSIONS: Topical isosorbide dinitrate is a good alternative therapy to protect internal anal sphincter in the treatment of chronic anal fissure. However, the recurrence rates are high in the long-term.

Pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis: a single center experience.

AIM: To share our experience of the management and outcomes of patients with pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis (PCI). METHODS: The charts of seven patients who underwent surgery for PCI between 2001 and 2009 were reviewed retrospectively. Clinical features, diagnoses and surgical interventions of patients with PCI are discussed. RESULTS: Seven patients with PCI (3 males, 4 females; mean age, 50 ± 16.1 years; range, 29-74 years) were analyzed. In three of the patients, abdominal pain was the only complaint, whereas additional vomiting and/or constipation occurred in four. Leukocytosis was detected in four patients, whereas it was within normal limits in three. Subdiaphragmatic free air was observed radiologically in four patients but not in three. Six of the patients underwent an applied laparotomy, whereas one underwent an applied explorative laparoscopy. PCI localized to the small intestine only was detected in four patients, whereas it was localized to the small intestine and the colon in three. Three patients underwent a partial small intestine resection and four did not after PCI was diagnosed. Five patients were diagnosed with secondary PCI and two with primary PCI when the surgical findings and medical history were assessed together. Gastric atony developed in one case only, as a complication during a postoperative follow-up of 5-14 d. CONCLUSION: Although rare, PCI should be considered in the differential diagnosis of acute abdomen. Diagnostic laparoscopy and preoperative radiological tests, including computed tomography, play an important role in confirming the diagnosis.

Effect of melatonin and misoprostol on bacterial translocation in portal hypertensive rats.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Portal hypertension is the main complication of cirrhosis and it is responsible for its most common complications. Bacterial translocation increases the morbidity and mortality rates in patients with portal hypertension. We aimed to investigate the effects of melatonin and misoprostol on bacterial translocation induced by portal hypertension. METHODS: We established four groups, each containing eight rats. Except for the control and sham groups, the animals in the other groups (treatment groups) received misoprostol or melatonin for 3 days after the first operation. In the sham group, a laparotomy was carried out and only the portal vein was dissected. Calibrated portal vein ligation was carried out in the other groups. All animals were given 10(10) Escherichia coli by orogastric intubation 12 h before sampling. Seventy-two hours after the first operation, mesenteric lymph node and blood samples were obtained and cultured. Two cc blood samples were obtained for a polymerase chain reaction study. A piece of terminal ileum was also sampled for histopathologic examination. RESULTS: Mesenteric lymph node and blood cultures of all control animals were positive for microbiological growth, and polymerase chain reaction results were positive in seven of the eight rats. Histopathologically, edema, vasodilatation and inflammatory cell infiltration were found to be less in the other groups in comparison to the control group. The incidence of bacterial translocation was decreased in all treatment groups as compared to the control group. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, bacterial translocation occurred in portal hypertension. Melatonin and misoprostol reduced the incidence of bacterial translocation in portal hypertensive rats.

Crystallized phenol in nonoperative treatment of previously operated, recurrent pilonidal disease.

PURPOSE: Recurrence after surgery for pilonidal disease remains a challenge. We investigated the application of crystallized phenol as a nonoperative treatment for patients with recurrent, previously operated pilonidal disease. METHODS: Participants were patients treated for recurrent pilonidal disease at our clinics from January 1995 through August 2007. Crystallized phenol was administered on an outpatient basis. Patient and disease characteristics including age, gender, body mass index, occupation, family history, time from previous operation to recurrence and to phenol treatment, number and type of previous operations, and characteristics of recurrent sinuses at entry were prospectively recorded. Outcome variables included number of phenol applications, recovery time, recurrence, and treatment success or failure. RESULTS: A total of 36 patients with recurrent pilonidal disease were treated with crystallized phenol (mean recurrence time after previous surgery, 16.2 +/- 4.6 months; number of previous operations, 1.47 +/- 0.9). The mean number of phenol applications per patient was 3.7 +/- 1.3 (range, 1-7). No serious side effects were observed. Exfoliation of a 2-cm area around the sinus openings in 3 patients (8.3%) was easily treated with ointments locally; patients reported minimal pain. Healing was obtained in all patients in a median of 48 (range, 10-153) days. During follow-up (mean duration, 54.4 +/- 5.2 months; range, 29-169 months), 31 patients (86.1%) had no recurrence and 5 patients (13.9%) had recurrence. Recurrent sinuses were successfully treated by a second course of crystallized phenol in 2 patients, 1 patient refused retreatment, and healing was not obtained with a second treatment course in 2 patients, yielding an overall success rate of 91.7% and failure rate of 8.3%. CONCLUSION: Crystallized phenol application is a simple, inexpensive nonoperative procedure that can be performed in an outpatient setting and is suitable for the treatment of previously operated recurrent pilonidal disease.