PIT-PICKING

Pit picking procedure maybe an option for some patients who are not ready for a full surgical procedure.

Pit-picking is a minimally invasive procedure used to treat pilonidal disease, particularly in its early stages or for patients with isolated sinus tracts. The technique involves identifying and removing the small, hair-containing pits or sinuses that are characteristic of pilonidal disease.

During the procedure, the patient is typically placed under local anesthesia to numb the affected area. The surgeon then makes small incisions, or "pits," in the skin of the natal cleft to access and excise the small sinus tracts and any embedded hair. This is usually done with a specialized instrument designed to carefully remove the infected tissue and hair follicles. Once the pits are cleaned out, the area is thoroughly irrigated to ensure all debris is removed. The incisions may be left open to heal naturally, or they may be closed with a few sutures, depending on the extent of the treatment and the surgeon's approach. Pit-picking aims to reduce the risk of recurrence by addressing the primary sources of infection while minimizing surgical trauma and promoting quicker recovery.

At Pilonidal Fix, pit-picking is done in our ambulatory care center under intravenous sedation. The patient may return to full activities the day after the procedure.

SiLaC, or sinus laser closure, as well as Epsit, which is endoscopic pilonidal sinus treatment are all just a forms of pit picking procedure utilizing added technologies. While they are excellent for marketing purposes, there is currently no good evidence showing better outcomes with either SiLaC or Epsit over the pit picking procedure.