title: Minimal incision as a promising technique for resection of pilonidal sinus in children.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate functional and long-term outcome of a minimal incision technique for resection of pilonidal sinus in children.
  
  
  METHODS
  All children who underwent surgery for pilonidal sinus in our institution between October 2008 and March 2015 were included. We performed a retrospective chart review and a follow-up telephone survey. Demographic, clinical and outcome data were compared between patients who underwent either minimal incision or wide excision surgery.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Study groups included 21 cases of minimal incision procedure and 21 cases of wide excision procedure with similar demographic and clinical characteristics. Postoperative functional outcome was significantly better in the minimal incision group with fewer days on analgesics (0 versus 2.5, P=0.005), fewer sick days (4 versus 14, P<0.001), and fewer days to full activity (10 versus 45, P<0.001). Reoperation rate was 28% for minimal incision and 9% for wide excision (P=0.238). Overall long-term favorable outcome (no reoperation/recurrent abscess/continued symptoms) rate was 62% after minimal incision and 45% after wide excision (P=0.354).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The minimal incision is a promising technique for resection of pilonidal sinus in children as it is associated with better postoperative functional outcome and comparable long-term outcome compared with wide excision.
  
  
  METHODS
  Therapeutic study- level III.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Surgery, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Ramat Gan, 5265601, Israel.
authors.forename: Chen
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Speter
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Surgery, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Ramat Gan, 5265601, Israel; Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, 6997801, Israel. Electronic address: zmora.osnat@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Osnat
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Zmora
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Surgery, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Ramat Gan, 5265601, Israel.
authors.forename: Roy
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Nadler
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Surgery, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Ramat Gan, 5265601, Israel; Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, 6997801, Israel.
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Shinhar
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Surgery, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Ramat Gan, 5265601, Israel; Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, 6997801, Israel.
authors.forename: Ron
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bilik
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007557:Israel; D008297:Male; D019060:Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D010864:Pilonidal Sinus / Q000601:surgery*; D011184:Postoperative Period; D012086:Reoperation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D024162:Second-Look Surgery; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: Children; Minimal incision; Pilonidal sinus