Laser Hair Treatment Cuts Pilonidal Disease Recurrence

Laser hair treatment significantly reduces recurrence of pilonidal disease in adolescents and young adults but its effectiveness varies by insurance type.

• Patients receiving laser treatment had a 74% lower risk of disease recurrence within one year (odds ratio 0.26, p = 0.001).
• Those with private insurance benefitted more, showing a recurrence odds ratio of 0.29, while public insurance patients did not see a benefit (odds ratio 1.20).

Understanding these factors can enhance surgical decision-making and patient counseling, particularly regarding treatment options based on insurance status.