The Origin of Pilonidal Sinus Disease – 10 wrong Theories and one Recent Discovery
Vol 7 No 2 (2023), Review Articles
Vol 7 No 2 (2023)

The Origin of Pilonidal Sinus Disease – 10 wrong Theories and one Recent Discovery

Review Articles
https://doi.org/10.32391/ajtes.v7i2.337
Published July 20, 2023
Marius Dettmer
Department of Trauma Surgery and Orthopaedics, Reconstructive and Hand Surgery and Burn Medicine, German Armed Forces Central Hospital Koblenz, Koblenz, Germany
Konstantinos Degiannis
Department of Trauma, Hand and Reconstructive Surgery, University Hospital of Saarland, Saarland University, Homburg, Germany
Myriam Braun-Münker
Fulda University of Applied Sciences, Fulda, Germany.
Dietrich Doll
Department of Procto-Surgery and Pilonidal Sinus, St. Marienhospital Vechta, Academic Teaching Hospital of the MHH Hannover, Vechta, Germany
Matthias Maak
Department of Surgery, University Hospital Erlangen Friedrich-Alexander University (FAU) Erlangen-Nuremberg, Erlangen, Germany.
AJTES Vol 7, No 2, July 2023
Dettmer M et al. The Origin of Pilonidal Sinus Disease – 10 Wrong Theories and one Recent Discovery.

Keywords

Pilonidal sinus disease
genesis
Prevention
short hair fragments

How to Cite

Dettmer, M., Degiannis, K., Braun-Münker, M., Doll, D., & Maak, M. (2023). The Origin of Pilonidal Sinus Disease – 10 wrong Theories and one Recent Discovery. Albanian Journal of Trauma and Emergency Surgery, 7(2), 1296-1299. https://doi.org/10.32391/ajtes.v7i2.337
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Abstract

Introduction: In the last two centuries, many theories have been proposed to explain the origin of pilonidal sinus disease (PSD) – congenital and acquired.

Materials and Methods: A PubMed literature review was conducted and looked at different proposed theories on the origin of PSD; this overview was then compared to research results from more recent studies.

Results: Initially it was postulated, that PSD was of embryonic origin. This however changed during World War II as more 78.000 American soldiers were diagnosed and treated for PSD. Thereafter, the perception of the origin of PSD changed to an acquired one. New data has shown that short hair fragments, which have fallen from the scalp may be the origin of PSD – therefore disproving the theory of folliculitis and fatty gland obstruction.

Conclusion: These new findings may explain why recurrences/new diseases occur within follicle-free areas – such as scars and without any preceding infection. This may aid in the prevention of PSD.

 

https://doi.org/10.32391/ajtes.v7i2.337
Dettmer M et al. The Origin of Pilonidal Sinus Disease – 10 Wrong Theories and one Recent Discovery.

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