Prof. Dr. Cemalettin Camcı stated that patients suffering from pilonidal sinus can get rid of this ailment in 4-5 sessions with crystallized phenol treatment, noting that the person can return to their normal life immediately after the procedure.
Pilonidal sinus, which is generally seen in people between the ages of 15-35, can be treated non-surgically as well as surgically. Explaining non-surgical methods for pilonidal sinus treatment, General Surgery Specialist Prof. Dr. Cemalettin Camcı from BHT Clinic Istanbul TEMA Hospital stated that pilonidal sinus can be treated without surgery using laser, ozone therapy, and the crystallized phenol method.
"Treatment may take longer for those who have had surgery before"
Expressing that they recommend the crystallized phenol method for the patient's comfort, Camcı said, "The treatment does not end in one session, but it is an extremely smooth and appropriate method in terms of patient comfort. It is a method based on applying crystallized phenol to the area after cleaning the hair under local anesthesia only, without the need for anesthesia in operating room conditions. If the patient has not had surgery before, the pilonidal sinus problem can be resolved in 4-5 sessions. Although rare, there are cases where treatment ends in 1-2 sessions, and it can extend up to 8-10 sessions. The number of sessions varies depending on the state of the disease and the person's healing potential. In those who have had surgery before, the treatment has the potential to take longer because the original structure is disrupted. We discuss these with our patients beforehand and draw a path accordingly."
Patients can return to normal life immediately after the session
Stating that crystallized phenol treatment is suitable for everyone, Prof. Dr. Cemalettin Camcı said, "This treatment does not keep people away from work or make them feel sick. We can apply it even if there is an abscess in that area. In the surgical method, if there is an abscess, it is drained first, and the surgery is postponed for at least one month. With crystallized phenol treatment, we can apply it even if there is an abscess. Therefore, we get good results."
Nearly 100 percent success
"The patient is not hospitalized. The treatment is a process of about 10-15 minutes. After numbing with local anesthesia and a 10-15 minute procedure, we can send the patient home or back to their normal life," said Prof. Dr. Camcı, adding, "We achieve nearly 100 percent success. If the patient pays attention to hygiene and keeps that area hair-free, the disease does not recur. Therefore, there is a significant success rate."
Hygiene and care are important after treatment
Warning about the points to be considered after the treatment, Camcı concluded: "Since the tailbone area is a weak area, this weakness continues whether this treatment or any other treatment is applied. It is not possible to strengthen the tailbone area. Therefore, that area has the potential for a recurrence of pilonidal sinus. This applies to every procedure. Therefore, we recommend the following to our patients: If they have laser hair removal after the procedure and keep this area hair-free, the disease does not relapse."
