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Endoscopic pilonidal sinus treatment (EPSiT) in recurrent pilonidal disease: a prospective international multicenter study

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International Journal of Colorectal Disease Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Background

Pilonidal disease (PD) is a common disease of the natal cleft, which can lead to complications including infection and abscess formation. Various operative management options are available, but the ideal technique is still debatable. Recurrent PD after surgical treatment is frequent event for the 25–30% of cases. The present study evaluated endoscopic pilonidal sinus treatment (EPSiT) in recurrent and multi-recurrent PD.

Methods

Of the consecutive prospective patients with recurrent PD, 122 were enrolled in a prospective international multicenter study conducted at a secondary and tertiary colorectal surgery centers. Primary endpoint was to evaluate short- and long-term outcomes: healing rate/time, morbidity rate, re-recurrence rate, and patient’s quality of life (QoL).

Results

Complete wound healing rate was occurred in 95% of the patient, with a mean complete wound healing time of 29 ± 12 days. The incomplete healing rate (5%) was significantly related to the number of external openings (p = 0.008), and recurrence was reported in six cases (5.1%). Normal daily activity was established on the first postoperative day, and the mean duration before patients returned to work was 3 days. QoL significantly increased between the preoperative stage and 30 days after the EPSiT procedure (45.3 vs. 7.9; p < 0.0001).

Conclusions

The EPSiT procedure seems to be a safe and effective technique in treating even complex recurrent PD. It enables excellent short- and long-term outcomes than various other techniques that are more invasive.

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Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Contributions

Substantial contributions to conception and design, or acquisition of data, or analysis and interpretation of data: PM, GL, AS, AC, FF, LR, MLaT. Drafting the article or revising it critically for important intellectual content: PM, GL, AS, AC, FF, LR, MLaT. Final approval of the version to be published: PM, GL, AS, AC, FF, LR, MLaT.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Giorgio Lisi.

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Conflicts of interest

Professor Piercarlo Meinero declares to receive financial grants from Karl Storz. The remaining authors declare no potential financial conflict of interest related to this study.

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Meinero, P., La Torre, M., Lisi, G. et al. Endoscopic pilonidal sinus treatment (EPSiT) in recurrent pilonidal disease: a prospective international multicenter study. Int J Colorectal Dis 34, 741–746 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00384-019-03256-8

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