On Friday 7 March 2025, E.A. Huurman will defend the doctoral thesis titled: Getting to the bottom of Pilonidal Sinus Disease
- Promotor
- Co-promotor
- Co-promotor
- Date
- Friday 7 Mar 2025, 10:30 - 12:00
- Type
- PhD defence
- Space
- Senate Hall
- Building
- Erasmus Building
- Location
- Campus Woudestein
Below is a brief summary of the dissertation:
This thesis explores the etiology, surgical treatments, and outcomes of pilonidal sinus disease (PSD).
Chapter 1 provides an overview of PSD’s pathophysiology and knowledge gaps. Chapter 2 reviews literature on its etiology, concluding that PSD is an acquired condition where hair fragments and debris contribute to sinus formation. Cut and stiff hairs increase risk, especially when entering root-first.
Chapter 3 presents a survey of Dutch surgeons, revealing that traditional excision is the most common treatment (51%), followed by flap (23%) and minimally invasive techniques (22%). Most surgeons were dissatisfied with current treatments, with 82% supporting a national guideline. Chapter 4 describes a consensus-based guideline using GRADE methodology.
Chapter 5 reviews non-excisional techniques in 8,100 patients, showing high healing rates (67-100%) but significant recurrence. Chapter 6 compares excision with secondary wound healing (ESW) to Bascom Cleft Lift (BCL), finding BCL superior in healing (84% vs. 33%), faster recovery, and fewer recurrences.
Chapters 7-9 analyze the PITS study on Dutch surgical practices. Chapter 7 shows minimally invasive techniques (MIT) have higher healing rates and faster recovery than ESW. Chapter 8 evaluates one-year outcomes, with recurrence rates highest in MIT (30.6%) and lowest in off-midline closure (6.7%). Chapter 9 examines pilonidal abscess treatment, where incision and drainage had a 42.2% healing rate and a 7.3% recurrence rate.
Chapter 10 discusses future perspectives, emphasizing the need for improved surgical strategies and guidelines.
- More information
The public defence will begin exactly at 10.30 hrs. The doors will be closed once the public defence starts, latecomers may be able to watch on the screen outside. There is no possibility of entrance during the first part of the ceremony. Due to the solemn nature of the ceremony, we recommend that you do not take children under the age of 6 to the first part of the ceremony.
A live stream link has been provided to the candidate.
