title: Hair epilation versus surgical excision as primary management of pilonidal disease in the pediatric population.
abstract: Pilonidal disease is a chronic, acquired inflammatory process of the skin due to entrapped hair at the natal cleft. Reported recurrence rates are as high as 30%, and recurrence has been attributed to persistent hair near the surgical site. Although conservative measures, such as meticulous hair control and improved perineal hygiene, have been shown to be effective, these techniques typically require much effort on behalf of the patient. Laser hair epilation (LE) might solve this issue of poor patient compliance while helping patients to avoid surgical excision. In this article, we discuss recurrence rates of pilonidal disease in children treated with LE versus surgical excision in relation to findings from our institution between 2005 and 2013 as well as patient satisfaction with the treatment method.
authors.affiliation: The Division of Pediatric Surgery, Children's Hospital, Western University, London, Ont.
authors.forename: Andreana
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bütter
authors.affiliation: The Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, Ont.
authors.forename: Melissa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hanson
authors.affiliation: The Division of General Surgery, London Health Sciences Centre, Western University, London, Ont.
authors.forename: Lisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: VanHouwelingen
authors.affiliation: The Division of Pediatric Surgery, Children's Hospital, Western University, London, Ont.
authors.forename: Neil
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Merritt
authors.affiliation: The Division of Food and Nutritional Sciences, Brescia University College and the Department of Pediatrics, Western University, and the Children's Health Research Institute, London Health Sciences Centre, London, Ont.
authors.forename: Jamie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Seabrook
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006204:Hair Removal / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy; D008297:Male; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D010864:Pilonidal Sinus / Q000601:surgery*; D012008:Recurrence; D016896:Treatment Outcome