Clinical trial comparing excision and primary closure with modified Limberg flap in the treatment of uncomplicated sacrococcygeal pilonidal disease

Available online 3 December 2011

Peer review under responsibility of Alexandria University Faculty of Medicine.

Figures & data

Figure 1 Skin edges were closed with 3/0 polypropylene interrupted mattress sutures.

Figure 2 The wound was closed in multiple layers over a closed suction drain.

Figure 3 Rhomboid shaped incision with each side equal in length.

Figure 4 Rhomboid shaped incision with each side equal in length.

Figure 5 The rhomboid flap was then rotated from the gluteal fascia to the excised area without tension.

Figure 6 The rhomboid flap after removal of stitches.

Figure 7 Primary closure after removal of stitches.

Table 1 Demographic and pre-treatment symptoms of patients with uncomplicated sacrococcygeal pilonidal disease.

	Group I (n = 60)	Group II (n = 60)	P value
Males:Female	46:14	45:15	0.4139^a
Age (years)	27 ± 9.4	26 ± 8.6	0.6648^a
Follow-up (months)	21.5 ± 6.82	22 ± 7.64	0.3955^a
Symptoms
Discharge	51	49	0.3138^b
Pain	38	36	0.3550^b
Pruritus	16	17	0.5778^b
Bleeding	3	4	0.6542^b

a Student's t-test.

b Chi square test.

Table 2 Outcome after surgical treatment.

	Group I (n = 60)	Group II (n = 60)	P value^*
Operation time (minute)	40.6 ± 6.8	55.2 ± 7.6	<0.001^*
Hospitalization (days)	3.8 ± 1.6	2.1 ± 1.2	<0.001^*
Period off work (days)	21.6 ± 3.5	16.2 ± 2.1	<0.001^*
Pain VAS score	5.2 ± 1.4	2.1 ± 1.2	<0.001^*
Healing Period (days)	19.1 ± 3.7	14.1 ± 2.9	<0.001^*

VAS, visual analogue scale.

* Denotes a significant P value

Table 3 Postoperative complications.

	Group I (n = 60)	Group II (n = 60)	P value^a
Wound infection, n (%)	6 (10)	2 (3.33)	0.0295^a
Flap oedema, n (%)	8 (13.33)	2 (3.33)	0.0166^a
Wound dehiscence, n (%)	4 (6.67)	1 (1.67)	0.0322^a
Recurrence, n (%)	4 (6.67)	1 (1.67)	0.0322^a

a Fisher's exact test.