Improving Resource Utilization and Outcomes Using a Minimally Invasive Pilonidal Protocol

• Published in: Journal of pediatric surgery Vol. 55; no. 1; pp. 182 - 186
• Main Authors: Delshad, Hajar R., Henry, Owen, Mooney, David P.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 01.01.2020
• Subjects: Laser epilation; Pilonidal; Pit picking; Quality improvement; Resource utilization; Sinusectomy; Pilonidal; Resource utilization; Quality improvement; Sinusectomy; Laser epilation; Pit picking
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jpedsurg.2019.09.074
• ISSN: 0022-3468

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the resource utilization and outcome of a minimally invasive pilonidal protocol (MIPP) versus surgical excision (SE) in adolescents with pilonidal disease. Improved hygiene, laser epilation (LE), and sinusectomy were implemented as a minimally invasive pilonidal protocol (MIPP) in March 2016. Following IRB approval, 34 consecutive MIPP patients with moderate and severe disease were compared with a random sample of 17 SE patients treated prior to MIPP implementation. Number of visits, laser epilation (LE) treatments, care duration, operations, operating room (OR) time, charges, and condition at last visit were analyzed. Charges were standardized for 2018. No differences were found in age or body mass index between groups. SE patients underwent an average 1.6 excisions/patient (cumulative 2598 OR minutes) and no LE. MIPP patients underwent an average 1.4 sinusectomies and 3.5 LEs/patient. Six sinusectomies (0.17/patient) were performed in OR (cumulative 258 OR minutes). No differences in number of visits or care duration were found between groups. At last follow-up, 82% of MIPP and 18% of SE patients were healed or asymptomatic (p < 0.01). Average charges were $29,098 for SE versus $8440 for MIPP (p < 0.01). A minimally invasive pilonidal protocol reduces charges and improves outcome compared with surgical excision in adolescents. III. Retrospective comparative study.