To provide an overview of different pilonidal sinus disease (PSD) subtypes, including acute and chronic forms, and assess practice variation and short-term outcomes in the treatment of chronic PSD in the Netherlands.
Key Findings:
681 patients were included, with 405 having chronic PSD after excluding those who did not undergo surgery.
The mean age of patients was 28 years, with a predominance of males (82.7%).
Surgical treatments included excision with secondary wound healing (25.9%), excision with midline closure (7.2%), and minimally invasive techniques (61.2%), indicating a trend towards less invasive approaches.
Interpretation:
The study highlights significant practice variation in the surgical management of chronic PSD, with a predominance of minimally invasive techniques used across different PSD subtypes, suggesting a need for standardized treatment protocols.
Limitations:
The study was limited to a 3-month inclusion period and may not represent long-term outcomes.
Variability in local hospital protocols could affect the consistency of treatment approaches, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on patient outcomes should be considered.
Conclusion:
This audit provides valuable insights into the management of chronic PSD in the Netherlands, emphasizing the need for standardized treatment protocols and further research to optimize surgical outcomes in light of existing literature.
