Plain-English translation of NCT05439291 on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗ · Source last updated · Translation generated · How we translate trials
This study doesn't follow the usual testing phases — it may be an observational study or a different type of research.
Pilonidal disease is a painful condition in the lower back that causes drainage and can keep coming back, especially in teenagers and young adults. This trial is testing whether using regular laser hair removal by itself is enough to prevent the disease from returning, or if patients also need surgery to remove the affected area. The study will randomly assign patients to either get hair removal treatment alone or hair removal plus surgical removal of the cyst.
Right now, doctors typically recommend surgery to treat pilonidal disease, but surgery can be painful and time-consuming. Patients with this condition often miss school or work and feel embarrassed, so researchers want to know if a gentler approach—just keeping the area hair-free with laser treatment—might work just as well and prevent the disease from coming back.
You likely qualify if…
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If you join this study, you will be randomly assigned to one of two groups: one group will receive regular laser hair removal treatments to prevent hair growth in the affected area, and the other group will receive the same hair removal treatments plus surgical removal of the pilonidal cyst. All participants will complete surveys and have their medical charts reviewed to track how well each approach works at preventing the disease from returning.
AI-generated summary from trial data · Sep 24, 2026 · Not medical advice
United States
Sponsor
Stanford University
Enrollment target
~400 participants
Started
July 2022
Primary completion
January 2027
Age range
8 Years and older
Last updated on clinicaltrials.gov in November 2024.
Reach out to the team running this trial. Response times vary — some teams are faster than others.
Central contact
Bill Chiu, MD
Stanford University
Tell us you're interested and we'll help connect you with the research team. We'll walk you through what to expect first — no email needed to get started.