Topical Lidocaine or not for laser follicle ablation in pilonidal disease: a prospective, randomized, double-blinded trial

Laser follicle ablation is a significant component of the care in pilonidal disease, but may be uncomfortable secondary to absorption of the light energy by pigment present in the underlying skin. Multiple methods have been proposed to ameliorate the discomfort, including the pre-procedure application of topical lidocaine creams; however, little data exists as to the efficacy of the creams, which must be applied 30 to 40 minutes prior to laser treatment. We studied the efficacy of a topical local anesthetic cream for this purpose.