Laser Pilonidotomy With Minimal Energy (melpi) - Multicenter Study of a New Method in Pilonidal Disease
Year: 2024
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Objective Laser surgery, a minimally invasive procedure for the definitive approach to Pilonidal Disease (PD), has been frequently studied in recent years. This study aims to describe a new method of pilonidectomy using minimal energy and evaluate its initial results. Methods Retrospective multicenter study. A total of 47 consecutive patients underwent 50 minimal energy pilonidectomies (MELPi) between 2019 and 2023 at four centers in Brazil. The following factors were analyzed: age, BMI, sex, smoking, diabetes, Güner classification, disease duration, energy used, hospitalization time, complications, recurrence, wound closure, pain, and return to activities. Results The median age was 27 years; 61.7% were men and 38.3% women. The median BMI was 25.7. Smoking was evident in 14.9% of cases, and diabetes in 2.1%. The average disease duration was 3 years. Most surgeries (36%) were performed at stage R of the disease. The median hospitalization time was 6 hours, and the median healing time was 15 days. The average energy used in the procedures was 433 joules. The median postoperative pain score was 2. Secretion occurred in 14% of cases on the 60th day. Complications (cellulitis) occurred in 4% of cases. The median time to return to work was 7 days. The average follow-up time was 12 months; recurrence occurred in 5 (10%) patients. In 3 of them, a second MELPi procedure was performed and was effective. Conclusion MELPi presents promising initial results: low pain, low complication rates, and a rapid return to activities. It is a good option for cases of recurrence and can be performed more than once if necessary.
Source: Journal of Coloproctology
Authors: Fabricio Doin Paz Oliveira, Sonia Cristina Cordero Time, Ana Carolina Buffara Blitzkow, Lucas Rodrigues Boarini, Aline Amaro Munhoz, Elisa Treptow Marques
Institution: São Camilo Hospital
Language: English
Subfield: Surgery
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W4409792147