Clinical Research Directory

Phenol or Laser: Best Minimally Invasive Treatment for Pilonidal Sinus?

Pilonidal sinus disease is a common condition. There is still ongoing research on the ideal treatment. Pilonidal sinus disease is most common in men between the ages of 20 and 30. For patients with symptoms of pilonidal sinüs (pain, itching and discharge with soiling of underwear) that interfere with their normal daily life, several treatment options have emerged. A hairy body, thick skin, overweight, a deep gluteal cleft, lack of hygiene, sedentarism, repeated chafing and previous familial history are commonly admitted as predisposing factors. There are various surgical and non-surgical methods for its treatment. Many different surgical techniques have been defined. None of these surgical techniques are defined as 'gold standard'. For many years, wide excision and secondary healing was the standard approach for pilonidal sinus disease. However, when this method resulted in prolonged healing and restriction of regular activities, various reconstructive methods were developed to demonstrate the disadvantages of secondary healing. A minimally invasive treatment modality for pilonidal sinüs dissease is excision of the sinus pit(s) followed by application of phenol to the sinus tract. Phenol is a sclerosing agent that destroys the epithelium and debris in the sinus, and is, thus, able to promote healing of the sinus. Recently, advances in laser technology have made laser ablation of the sinus tract possible. The aim is to destroy and obliterate the sinus tracts with thermal energy produced by the laser probe. The aim of this prospective observational study was to compare phenolization and laser ablation in the treatment of pilonidal sinus disease.

Factors Affecting Wound Dehiscence in Pilonidal Sinus Surgery (ORIPIS)

The goal of this multicenter, prospective, observational study is to investigate factors associated with wound dehiscence following pilonidal sinus surgery. The main questions it aims to answer are: Does the proximity of the pilonidal sinus to the anal verge influence the risk of postoperative wound dehiscence? How do the morphological stage of the disease and the surgical technique used affect wound healing outcomes? Patients undergoing pilonidal sinus surgery as part of routine clinical care will be enrolled prospectively across multiple centers. Clinical, anatomical, and surgical characteristics-including anal proximity, morphological stage, and type of surgical technique-will be recorded. Participants will be followed postoperatively, and wound outcomes will be assessed to identify factors associated with wound dehiscence.

SiLaC Laser Technique for Pilonidal Sinus - La Paz Cohort Study.

Pilonidal sinus disease (PSD) is a chronic inflammatory condition of the sacrococcygeal region that frequently affects young adults, often causing pain, drainage, and recurrent infection. Traditional surgical approaches such as wide excision or flap techniques may result in prolonged healing times, relevant postoperative pain, and recurrence rates up to 20-30%. The SiLaC (Sinus Laser-Assisted Closure) technique is a minimally invasive procedure that uses a 1470-nm diode laser fiber to ablate the sinus epithelium and induce concentric contraction of the tract. International studies have reported promising results with faster recovery, minimal wound care, and low morbidity. This prospective single-center cohort study aims to evaluate the clinical outcomes and perceived recovery time of adult patients treated with the SiLaC® technique at Hospital Universitario La Paz (Madrid, Spain). The main outcome is the total recovery time perceived by patients after surgery. Secondary outcomes include postoperative complications, recurrence rate, pain intensity, need for wound care, and patient satisfaction. Data will be collected from medical records and structured follow-up interviews.