Do we Need to Use Subcutaneous Suture for Pilonidal Sinus Treated with Excision and Simple Primary Closure ?

Abstract

Objective : Pilonidal sinus (PS) is a chronic intermittent disease. There are numerous surgical treatment procedures that have been previously reported, yet none have been proved to be ideal. The main issues concerning the surgical treatment of PS are simplicity and cost-effectiveness. This study is designed to research the possibility of decreasing operation costs in the excision and simple primary closure technique of PS by omitting subcutaneous suture usage. Materials and methods : 152 male patients with chronic PS were included in the study. All patients were treated with excision and simple primary closure technique and randomized into two groups. Group-I (n = 74) received subcutaneous closure with 2/0 polyglactin sutures, but Group-II (n = 78) did not. Wound edges were re-approximated by using deep interrupted matress 0 no polypropylene sutures in both groups.

Results : In Group-I; overall 7 (9.5%) early complications were noted; 2(2.7%) wounds broke down and 5 (6.7%) experienced superficial wound infections. Any late wound complications were noted. A total of 98 polypropylene and 104 polyglactin sutures were used. In Group-II; overall 5 (6.4%) early wound complications were noted; 3 (3.8%) had wound dehiscence and 2 (2.6%) developed superficial wound infections. Also, 1 (1.3%) late wound complication (wound dehiscence) occurred. Overall 104 polypropylene sutures were used.

Conclusion : Excision and simple primary closure is a simple and cost effective surgical procedure in the treatment of PS. Omitting the use of subcutaneous sutures makes the procedure simpler and decreases the operation costs.

Key Words:

• Pilonidal sinus
• primary closure

Additional information

Notes on contributors

T. Yigit

T. Yigit (Valid till 15.8.2005): 4701 15» Ave NE, #301 Seattle, WA 98105 USA (Valid after 15.8.2005): GATA Genel Cerrahi Anabilim Dali, 06018 Etlik/Ankara, Turkey Tel.: 1.206.524 0758 (USA) 90. 312. 304 50 14 (Turkey) Fax: [phone] (USA) 90.312.304 50 02 (Turkey) E-mail: [email protected]