Pilonidal disease in the pregnant patient: A case report

Introduction: Pilonidal disease in the pregnant patient is underreported and may be instigated by significant shifts in hormone levels throughout pregnancy and the postpartum period.

Presentation of case: An otherwise healthy primigravid 22-year-old woman developed pilonidal disease at the beginning of her pregnancy. While pregnant, her symptoms recurred once and resolved without treatment. She was managed non-operatively during pregnancy. Her symptoms recurred again in the postpartum period but they quickly resolved. Due to the recurrent symptoms, she underwent definitive management via minimally invasive Gips procedure in the postpartum period, without further recurrence.

Discussion: Pilonidal disease affects pregnant patients and can be managed non-operatively. The etiology of pilonidal disease in the setting of pregnancy may be related to hormonal shifts and warrants further investigation.

Conclusion: We present the first report of pilonidal disease in a pregnant patient in the primary literature. The hormonal shifts associated with pregnancy may be associated with the development of pilonidal disease in the pregnant patient.