title: Pilonidal sinus disease treated by depilation using an 800 nm diode laser and review of the literature.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Pilonidal sinus disease is a debilitating, disfiguring chronic ailment that is often resistant to therapy. Its etiology and treatment remain in question.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To assess the efficacy of an 800 nm diode laser in the treatment of recalcitrant pilonidal sinus disease.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two patients with recalcitrant pilonidal sinus disease were treated in the lower back, buttocks, and perigluteal cleft area with an 800 nm diode laser with a spot size of 9 x 9 mm, fluences of 30 to 48 J/cm2, and pulse widths of 15 to 24 milliseconds.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Long-term relief of pilonidal sinus disease was produced with as few as two treatments 2 months apart to as many as six treatments over a 2-year period. With each successive treatment, fewer pulses were needed and the interval between treatments increased.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The 800 nm diode laser may be an effective tool in the treatment of pilonidal sinus disease. By eliminating the source of hair and hair fragments that course along the surface of the lower back and buttocks, interruption of the etiologic source for pilonidal sinus disease can be accomplished.
authors.affiliation: Dermatologic SurgiCenter, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. avb@benedettoderm.com
authors.forename: Anthony V
authors.initials: AV
authors.lastname: Benedetto
authors.forename: Alan T
authors.initials: AT
authors.lastname: Lewis
mesh_terms: D002081:Buttocks / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D006204:Hair Removal / Q000379:methods*; D006628:Hirsutism / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010864:Pilonidal Sinus / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*