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. 2025;79(5):417–427. doi: 10.5455/medarh.2025.79.417-427

Table 2. Variables collected from studies included, worldwide. Conservative measures: local care, hair removal, antibiotics local or oral ± the application of prepared solutions (e.g., salt-based solutions) Overweight: BMI of 25-29.9 kg/m², Obese: BMI of 30-39.9 kg/m², Morbid obesity: BMI of more than 40 kg/m², Pre-/Post-Tx: Pre-/Post-therapeutic, SCPNS: sacrococcygeal pilonidal sinus, USA: united states of America, ITP: Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura, MRI: Magnetic resonance imaging, US: ultrasound, PCOD: Polycystic Ovarian Disease, ¨ (Group 1; local debridement and systemic antibiotic), (Group 2; local debridement, systemic antibiotic and silver nitrate) and (Group 3; debridement, systemic antibiotic and salt).

Author Sample size (total) Country Mean age (years/ ± SD) Male n (%) BMI (Kg/m2) Comorbidities Presenting symptoms Diagnosis (clinical, radiological or Histo.) Radiologic findings (Type and finding) Interventions Recurrence Other findings
Randomized Clinical Trial
Kaplan et al., (2016) [5] 84 Turkey 20.83 ± 5.73 79 (94) 24.39 ± 3.5 Umbilical discharges, pain, itching, and malodor Clinical No Conservative measures (n=42)
Surgical
(Umbilectomy) (n=42)
Pre-Tx: 37%
Post-Tx: 10 in the conservative group.
Post-Surgical: 1
Cure (68.3% in conservative group vs 100% in the surgical group; p < 0.0001).
The surgical approach had lower total financial cost, a higher satisfaction rate after 1 month, and a lower re-admission rate.
Cohort studies
Isik et al., (2022) [6] 82 Turkey 23.24 63 (76.8) N\A 20.7 % had SCPNS Umbilical discharge and pain Clinical and radiological US: N\A conservative measures (63.4%), surgical (30.5%), and silver nitrate treatment was added in (6.1%) Post-Tx: 9 had recurrence. Smoking was the only modifying factor for recurrence, reduced the odds of healing by 96%.
Muhialdeen et al., (2023) [7] 114 Iraq 23.24 82 (71.9) 26.5 Concurrent SCPNS in 18 patients (15.8%).
Umbilical pain (82, 71.9%), itching (67, 58.8%), and discharge (52, 45.6%). Clinical No Conservative measures Pre-Tx: 6
Post-Tx: 1
Used a mixture of petroleum jelly, henna powder and tetracycline into the umbilicus.
(100, 87.7%) had a single sinus
Sözen et al., (2015) [8] 56
Group 1= 20
Group 2= 18
Group 3= 18
Turkey Group 1= Mean: 25.22
Group 2= Mean: 28.34
Group 3= Mean: 23.18
46 (82.14) 31 (overweight)
22 (obese)
3 (morbid obesity)
N\A Pain, discharge, local induration, and bleeding Clinical N/A Conservative measures¨ Pre-Tx:
Group 1: 8
Group 2: 5
Group 3: 9
Post-Tx:
Group 1: 4
Group 2: 2
Group 3: 1
The least recurrence was in the salt application group.
Eryilmaz et al., (2010) [9] 26 Turkey 22 24 (92) 4 (obese) 6 patients had hyperhidrosis Umbilical pain, Bloody discharge, Purulent discharge, Umbilical mass and Redness Clinical and Post-excisional Histopathology
[The sinus contained hair shafts, epithelial debris, keratin, and chronic inflammatory infiltrate]
N/A Conservative measures (n=25)
Surgical:
1 (um bilectomy).
Post-Tx: 2 (underwent surgical management)
Kareem, (2012) [10] 134 Iraq 24.14 121 (90.15) 24.07 ± 2.11 4 patients have history of SCPNS Pain, discharge (purulent, bloody, both), Redness, swelling, Pruritus, Bad odor, and Fever. Clinical No Conservative measures (3 required Umbilectomy) None On clinical examination 40 (29.85 %) of them had asymptomatic SCPNS.
Improper extraction of hair is the main cause of failure of conservative treatment.
Abdelnour et al., (1994) [11] 27 Lebanon 26 26 (96.2) N/A N/A N/A Clinical N/A Conservative measures Post-Tx: 4 Cure reached 98% after 2 years
Fazeli et al., (2008) [12] 45 Iran 22.6 39 (86.5) N\A 6 patients had synchronous SCPNS Bloody or purulent umbilical discharges Clinical No Surgical
(Sinus Excision with Umbilical Reconstruction)
None The satisfaction rate after reconstruction was 80%
Coşkun et al., (2010) [13] 31 Turkey 24.38 27 (87) 23.89 N\A Umbilical pain, Purulent discharge, Swelling and scaling Clinical N\A Conservative measures
In refractory cases or in case of recurrence, surgical intervention was made (umbilectomy)
N\A Control and patient groups’ variables were correlated to UPS and age, profession, status hirsutism, family history of PS, wearing tight clothes and BMI were significant (P<0.05).
Huda et al., (2018) [14] 15 India N\A 13 (86.7) N\A One female patient with PCOD Umbilical discharge, Periumbilical pain, swelling and Bleeding. Clinical (otoscopic findings) No Conservative measures None -
Sarmast et al., (2011) [15] 51 Iran 25.75 ± 8.74 35 (68.6) N\A N\A N\A N\A N\A Conservative measures (n=43)
Surgical: 8 (Umbilectomy)
N\A 84.31% of cases responded well to Conservative measures.
Case Reports
Kaplan et al., (2017) [16] 2 Turkey 23.5 1 (50) N\A N\A Periumbilical Pain, Swelling, Malodorous discharge, dermatitis and Pruritus Clinical No Umbilicus preserving excisional surgery None Both patients failed conservative management
Hsu et al., (2023) [17] 1 USA 15 1 (100) N\A ITP Chronic umbilical infections, pain, Serosanguinous discharge and Umbilical granuloma Clinical and radiological US: a solitary ovoid lesion consistent with an umbilical granuloma.
MRI: thickening of the umbilicus and adjacent tissue.
No patent urachal tract or hernia.
Surgical
(modified GIPS technique)
Recurrence approximately one year later.
Re-excision and packing was done.
Mallin et al., (2016) [18] 1 Antigua 41 1 (100) N\A No Umbilical Discharge and Mild discomfort while wearing a belt Clinical No Conservative measures
(used Cryocone for umbilical visualization)
None -
Kabay et al., (2009) [19] 1 Turkey 26 1 (100) N\A No Umbilical pain, Swelling, Discharge and Bleeding Radiological
and histopathological:
The hair shaft penetrates into the dermis and elicits a foreign-body giant cell reaction.
Fistulography: a cavity of 4x4 cm and a tract leading from the cavity to the umbilicus. Surgical (Umbilectomy) N\A
Mantoğlu et al., (2021) [20] 1 Turkey 37 1 (100) N\A N\A Generalized abdominal pain and tenderness Clinical and radiological US: Showed free fluid in Morison's pouch. Surgical (UPS excision with preserving the umbilicus) N\A
Meher et al., (2016) [21] 2 India 18.5 2 (100) N\A N\A Umbilical pain and discharge Clinical No Conservative measures None
Naraynsingh et al., (2009) [22] 1 West Indies (Trinidad) 22 1 (100) N\A No Recurrent, Umbilical intermittent purulent discharge and Itching Clinical No Surgical (UPS excision with preserving the umbilicus) Post-surgery: None
Othman et al., (2022) [23] 1 Australia 62 1 (100) N\A N\A Umbilical pain and purulent discharge Clinical and radiological
Histopathology: extensive ulceration and granulation tissue.
US: an isoechoic ovoid focus measuring 8x9 x7 mm, but no obvious hernia. Surgical (UPS excision with preserving the umbilicus) Pre-Surgery with conservative measures: Yes
Post-surgery: N\A
Bogdanic, (2022) [24] 1 Croatia 36 1 (100) 25.1 N\A Occasional Umbilical pain, wetness, swelling, and discharges. Clinical No Surgical (Laser Ablation at 1470 nm wavelength, and power of 12 W. A total of 280 J was applied) None
Savant, (2024) [25] 1 India 26 1 (100) N\A Obese Umbilical foul smelling purulent discharge and swelling. Clinical
Histopathology: a central sinus tract with multiple hair follicles surrounded by dense chronic inflammatory infiltrate and congested vessels
No Surgical (everted UPS Punch excision followed by chemical cauterization with 88% phenol) None
Gupta et al., (1990) [26] 2 India 24 2 (100) N\A N\A Recurrent umbilical pain and purulent discharges. Clinical
Histopathology: fibrosis with chronic inflammatory cells and the lumen was packed
with necrotic debris and a few hairs.
No Surgical (Umbilectomy) None
Patey et al., (1956) [27] 1 India 26 1 (100) N/A N/A Umbilical purulent discharges Clinical
Histopathology: granulation tissue and hair, no epithelium/sebaceous glands or hair follicles.
No Surgical (Umbilectomy) None
Martin, (1962) [28] 1 USA 19 1 (100) N/A Concurrent SCPNS Umbilical pain and hair protrusion Clinical
Histopathology: chronic inflammatory tract with hair follicles lining it and epithelium.
No Surgical (Umbilectomy) None