Outcomes of minimally invasive pit-picking treatment in adolescents with uncomplicated pilonidal disease: a retrospective single-center study.

PURPOSE: Pilonidal disease is a common condition in adolescents and is frequently associated with recurrence and postoperative morbidity. Minimally invasive techniques have been proposed to reduce surgical trauma and recovery time. This study aimed to evaluate the outcomes of the pit-picking procedure in adolescents with uncomplicated pilonidal disease. METHODS: A retrospective single-center study was conducted including adolescents aged 12-18 years who underwent pit-picking for pilonidal disease between September 2020 and December 2022. Demographic data, clinical presentation, treatment characteristics, follow-up duration, recurrence rates, and need for reintervention were analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 42 patients were included (24 females and 18 males; mean age 15.1 ± 1.4 years). At presentation, 64.3% of patients had an associated abscess. The median follow-up duration was 15 months. Recurrence occurred in six patients (14.3%), with a median time to recurrence of 10 months. The presence of an abscess at presentation did not increase recurrence risk, whereas patients with multiple sinus openings demonstrated a higher recurrence rate compared with those with a single sinus opening. CONCLUSION: Pit-picking is a safe and effective minimally invasive treatment for adolescents with uncomplicated pilonidal disease. With appropriate patient selection and adequate pre-procedural management, acceptable procedural outcomes can be achieved.