Comparison of success rates of laser surgery and crystallized phenol treatment in pilonidal sinus treatment

The main purpose of this study is to compare the efficacy of crystallized phenol and laser among treatment options in pilonidal sinus (SPS) discomfort in the sacrococcygeal region. A total of 190 patients were included in this retrospective archive research. Moreover, cases with missing or unclear data were not included in the study. Most patients were men [123 (64.3%) vs. 67 (35.3%); p<0.001]. There was no difference between the two groups in terms of age [31.37±8.92 vs. 31.20±8.85; p=0.92]. The majority of those who have applied laser were men [80 (80%) vs. 20 (20%); p<0.001]. It was determined that the majority of those who underwent laser were smokers [38 (67.9%) vs. 18 (32.1%); p<0.007]. The rate of phenol application was found to be slightly higher in females [47 (52.2%) vs. 43 (47.8%)]. In terms of comorbidity, there was no difference between the cases treated with phenol and laser [14 (40%) vs. 21 (60%); p=0.33]. There was no statistically significant difference in terms of the 12th month [84 (46.4%) vs. 97 (53.6%); p=0.312] or 24th month [82 (46.1%) vs. 92 (53.9%); p=0.167] recurrence rates for cases treated with phenol and laser. Moreover, there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups for cases who had reoperation [phenol: 13 (61.9%) vs. laser: 8 (38.1%); p=0.157]. Bleeding after the procedure was detected only in patients who underwent laser [0 (0.0%) vs. 6 (100%); p<0.03]. There was no difference in terms of infection in both groups [3 (50%) vs. 3 (50%); p=1.00]. With regard to the body mass index, no difference was found between the two groups that were treated with phenol or laser. However, regarding the visual analog scale (VAS), it was significantly lower in the phenol group [1.38±1.63 vs. 0.87±1.37; p=0.002]. In conclusion, while phenol is more advantageous in terms of pain and bleeding complications, laser treatment is preferred in men and smokers.