Abstract

Background: Pilonidal sinus (PS) is a chronic inflammatory disease which is characterized by a granulomatous reaction to fragments of hair shaft penetrating epidermis from the cutaneous surface. The present study was conducted to assess etiological factors in umbilical pilonidal sinus.
Materials & Methods: 58 cases of umbilical pilonidal sinus of both genders were enrolled. Patients were put in group I and healthy subjects in group II (control group). Parameters such as body mass index, profession, skin colour, personal history of PS, family history of PS, how frequently they take a bath, and whether they wear tight clothes and use belt.
Results: Out of 58 patients, males were 38 and females were 20. The mean BMI (Kg/m2) was 24.1 and 26.4, skin colour was darkin 28 and 32, brown in 13 and 10, blond in 10 and 9 and white in 7 and 7. Frequency of taking baths was less than twice a week in 34 and 40 and more than twice a week in 24 and 18. Familial history was seen in 6 and personal history in 3 patients. Belts were used by 35 and 40 and wearing tight cloths seen in 42 and 26 in group I and II respectively. The difference was significant (P< 0.05).
Conclusion: Common etiological factors were familial history, personal history, wearing tight cloths and belts etc.