Recurrent pilonidal sinus and anti-inflammatory drugs: Effectiveness of Foredem® supplement

BACKGR OUND: Pilonidal sinus affects approximately 0.7% of the population. The treatment is surgical but the postoperative course is characterized by local inflammation, edema, local pain and high infectious risk with high risk of recurrence. The aim of the study is to evaluate the efficacy and the tolerability of Foredem® supplementation in the postsurgical treatment of recurrent pilonidal sinus. METHODS: Ten consecutive patients (6 males and 4 females, aged between 19 and 41, mean age 30 years) were treated for recurrent pilonidal sinus at Azienda Ospedaliera Policlinico 'G. Rodolico' in Catania. The group was supplemented with Foredem® twice a day for 10 days. We compared the group, defined Foredem Group (FG), to an historical control group (HG) of 10 patients affected by recurrent pilonidal sinus with comparable features (sex, age, comorbidities, number of pilonidal sinus surgical treatments and type of surgery). End points were time to healing, and rate of recurrence. R ESULTS: The FG group had shorter time of recovery (30.4 days for the FG [range 21-40] and 40.0 days in HG [range 27-58]). No recurrence was observed in the experimental group and one in the control group. Patients in the experimental group did not complained excessive discomfort, but no comparison was possible being the control group historical. CONCLUSIONS: Foredem® can be considered for perioperatory administration in patients with recurrent pilonidal sinus in order to shorten and make more confortable the healing time. Even the recurrence rate may be improved by its supplementation.