BACKGROUND: 

Pilonidal disease is classically treated with wide local excision, although a number of minimally invasive approaches are currently under investigation. We aimed to determine the safety and feasibility of laser ablation of pilonidal sinus disease.

IMPACT OF INNOVATION: 

Laser ablation provides a minimally invasive means of obliterating pilonidal sinus tracts without a need for excessive tract dilation. Laser ablation can be performed more than once on the same patient if necessary.

TECHNOLOGY MATERIALS AND METHODS: 

This technique uses the NeoV V1470 Diode Laser (neoLaser Ltd, Caesarea, Israel) with a 2-mm probe. We performed laser ablation in adults and pediatric patients.

PRELIMINARY RESULTS: 

We performed 27 laser ablation procedures in 25 patients, with a median operative time of 30 minutes. Eighty percent of patients reported either no pain or mild pain at the 2-week postoperative visit. The median time to return to work or school was 3 days. Eighty-eight percent of patients reported being satisfied or very satisfied with the procedure at their most recent follow-up (median, 6 mo). Eighty-two percent of patients were healed at 6 months.

CONCLUSIONS AND FUTURE DIRECTIONS: 

Laser ablation of pilonidal disease is safe and feasible. Patients experienced short recovery time and reported low levels of pain and high levels of satisfaction.