Efficacy and Safety of Crystallized Phenol in the Treatment of Pilonidal Sinus Disease Crystallized Phenol for Pilonidal Sinus Disease

Aim: Pilonidal sinus is a common condition in general surgery practice, with various treatment options available. Treatment effectiveness varies based on individual patient characteristics, and recurrence rates of up to 30% have been reported. Crystallized phenol has gained attention as a minimally invasive method due to its low morbidity and enhanced patient comfort. This study aimed to examine the clinical effectiveness of crystallized phenol and factors influencing recurrence. Method: This retrospective cohort study included 82 patients aged 18 years and older treated between September 2022 and September 2024. Data on age, body mass index (BMI), gender, sinus number, hospital stay, return to normal activities, follow-up duration, and complications were collected. Patients were followed up at 1 and 30 days post-procedure and for an average of 2 years. Recurrence rates were recorded through clinic examination. Results: Eighty-two patients (54 men) were included in the study. The mean age was 25.9±8.1 years, and the mean BMI was 28.7±3.9, with 17.6% of patients classified as obese. Crystallized phenol was applied under spinal anesthesia in 63 cases (76.8%). At the end of the follow-up period, a 10% recurrence rate was observed. Conclusion: Crystallized phenol is a minimally invasive, low-complication treatment that enables a quick return to daily life. High BMI and sinus pit number were identified as significant factors for recurrence. Similar recurrence rates were observed across centers, highlighting the consistency of the method. Further prospective randomized controlled trials are needed to confirm these findings.