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The EPIC procedure (Endoscopic-assisted Pilonidal Irrigation and Cleaning): a simple and effective treatment for pilonidal disease

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Abstract

Background

Pilonidal disease (PD) is a common condition of the sacrococcygeal region leading to inflammation and abscess formation. PD is a topic of renewed interest due to the lack of satisfactory management options. Minimally invasive techniques have recently been investigated, with promising results in adult and pediatric populations. Our technique, the “EPIC procedure,” Endoscopic-assisted Pilonidal Irrigation and Cleaning, involves removal of hair under direct visualization using a small endoscope while flushing saline through the cavity via an angiocatheter. We aim to show that the EPIC procedure is a safe and effective operation for the treatment of pilonidal disease in the pediatric population.

Materials and methods

We performed a retrospective chart review including 20 consecutive patients. All had a primary sacrococcygeal pilonidal sinus; all underwent the EPIC procedure. Post-operative care instructions included daily bathing and weekly depilatory application. We evaluated gender, age, weight, disease severity, operative duration, recurrence of PD, and other complications.

Results

In the 20 patients studied, 22 EPIC procedures were performed. The median follow-up duration was 27.95 (range 0.63–45.27) months. The mean operative duration was 28.8 (SD 10.2) min. There was a 15% recurrence rate (95% CI 0.00%, 30.65%).

Conclusions

The EPIC procedure is an endoscopic-assisted operation that simplifies previously published techniques in pursuit of reduced operative complexity, cost, and time, with comparable recurrence and complication rates. All three recurrences occurred in patients that did not follow instructions for post-operative depilatory care. Two of these patients underwent repeat EPIC procedure and had no further complications. The third was lost to follow-up. The EPIC procedure provides a simple, effective, and minimally invasive approach to the treatment of pilonidal disease.

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Acknowledgements

The authors wish to thank Cuyler Huffman of Western Michigan University Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine, Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics for assistance with statistical analysis.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Western Michigan University Homer Stryker MD School of Medicine, Kalamazoo, MI, USA

    Jacob Baxter

  2. Department of General Surgery, Western Michigan University Homer Stryker MD School of Medicine, Kalamazoo, MI, USA

    Jairo A. Espinosa & Michael J. Leinwand

  3. Department of Pediatric Surgery, Bronson Children’s Hospital, 601 John St., Suite M-351, Kalamazoo, MI, USA

    Michael J. Leinwand

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  1. Jacob Baxter
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Correspondence to Michael J. Leinwand.

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Michael Leinwand is on the advisory board of Virtual Ports Laparoscopic Systems. Jacob Baxter and Jairo Espinosa have no conflicts of interest or financial ties to disclose.

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Baxter, J., Espinosa, J.A. & Leinwand, M.J. The EPIC procedure (Endoscopic-assisted Pilonidal Irrigation and Cleaning): a simple and effective treatment for pilonidal disease. Surg Endosc 36, 1380–1384 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00464-021-08422-0

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