PREDISPOSING FACTORS IN CHRONIC PILONIDAL SINUS DEVELOPMENT

Abstract

We have investigated predisposing factors in development of chronic pilonidal sinus. Pilonidal sinus is a common, chronic, intermittent disease of the sacrococcygeal region that effects young adults after puberty. It is now widely accepted to be an acquired disorder. Deep natal cleft, hairiness, dark skin, obesity, local trauma and irritation, poor personal hygiene, hyperhidrosis, familial disposition, sedentary occupation were claimed as predisposing factors in development of pilonidal disease.

In this prospective study that was conducted between July 1998 and July 2002; age and sex distribution, body-mass index, hairiness, skin color, deep natal cleft, personal hygiene, hyperhidrosis, local trauma and irritation, relation of disease with occupation were recorded in 181 patients with diagnosis of chronic pilonidal sinus.

Eighty-nine percent of patients were male, mean age was 25.7 (range, 17-46), 12.2% were obese, 49% were overweight, 60.7% had abundant hair, 83.4% had dark skin, %45.9 had poor personal hygiene, 23.2% had hyperhidrosis complaint, 10.5% had familial disposition, 54.6% had sedentary occupation and there was no patient with history of sacrococcygeal trauma and irritation.

In conclusion; the etiology of pilonidal sinus is multifactorial. In this prospective study; male sex, youth, hairiness, dark skin, deep natal cleft, being overweight, poor personal hygiene were detected as predisposing factors.