Non-Operative Management of Pilonidal Sinuses Located Around Anus

Aim: Pilonidal disease is generally located at sacrococcygeal region whereas it is rarely located near anus. The aim of this study is to discuss the results of crystallized phenol application that we performed for patients with sinus pilonidalis located near anus with 95% success rate. Patients and Methods: Patients admitted between 2005 to 2011 with sinuses located in 2 cm range of anus or were primarily located up to 2 cm to the anal verge were enrolled in the study. Patients’ demographic features, Body Mass İndex (BMI), family history, skin color, hair thickness, number of sinus openings, and the status of the sinus (acute vs. chronic) were recorded. Crystallized phenol was applied into the sinus. The patients were followed-up after recovery during the first 6 months and annually afterwards. Results: A total of 25 sinus pilonidalis cases located near anus were encountered. All patients were male; crystallized phenol application was performed on all patients a total of 115 times. The mean number of applications was 5.6 (between 4 and 8 times). The mean recovery period was 74.5 days (range: 31 154) and the mean follow-up period was 36.16 months (range: 18 48). No surgical intervention was required. Conclusion: Sinus pilonidalis cases located in perianal region can be successfully treated with the crystallized phenol application which is a simple and inexpensive method, that can easily be performed in an outpatient setting.