Surgical treatment of sacrococcygeal pilonidal sinus with the Limberg transposition flap

• Published in: Surgery Vol. 134; no. 5; pp. 745 - 749
• Main Authors: Eryilmaz, Ramazan, Sahin, Mustafa, Alimoglu, Orhan, Dasiran, Fatih
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York, NY Mosby, Inc 01.11.2003; Elsevier
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Biological and medical sciences; Dermatology; Female; Humans; Length of Stay; Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Pilonidal Sinus - etiology; Pilonidal Sinus - surgery; Prospective Studies; Recurrence; Sacrococcygeal Region; Skin plastic surgery; Surgery (general aspects). Transplantations, organ and tissue grafts. Graft diseases; Surgical Flaps; Tropical medicine; Tumors of the skin and soft tissue. Premalignant lesions; Asia; Turkey; Performance evaluation; Human; Skin disease; Treatment; Surgery; Treatment efficiency; Pilonidal cyst; Benign neoplasm; Technique; Flap (surgery); Sacrococcygeal
• ISSN: 0039-6060; 1532-7361
• DOI: 10.1016/S0039-6060(03)00163-6

Pilonidal sinus is a common chronic disease of the sacrococcygeal region. Although many surgical methods have been suggested, an ideal method is still lacking because of high recurrence rates. This prospective study was conducted in 63 patients who were treated with the use of a rhomboid excision and Limberg flap closure for sacrococcygeal pilonidal sinus. The follow-up period ranged from 4 to 52 months (mean, 25 months). The mean hospital stay was 3 days (range, 2-7 days) and the mean time to return to work was 15 days (range, 12-26 days). Early wound complications and recurrence were encountered in 6% and 3%, respectively. Nineteen percent had numbness at the operation site and 63% were not pleased with cosmetic appearance of the scars. The results favor rhomboid excision and Limberg flap closure in the treatment of sacrococcygeal pilonidal sinus, especially in recurrent cases and in patients with extensive involvement. Low recurrence rates, shorter hospital stay, and time off from work may outweigh the disadvantages related to unfavorable cosmetic appearance.