Modified Limberg Flap Cover for Recurrent Sacrococcygeal Pilonidal Sinus: Our Experience at a Medical College In Nepal

Introduction: Pilonidal sinus is an inflammatory disease seen mostly in the intergluteal region of young males. Although any treatment strategy of this condition is generally free of life-threatening complications due to its superficial nature, it is still a feared disease because of recurrence which greatly increases the morbidity. Objective: To investigate the results of wide rhomboid excision and modified Limberg transposition flap reconstruction to treat recurrent pilonidal sinus. Methodology: Well-documented records of all patients with recurrent sacrococcygeal pilonidal sinus who underwent wide excision and a modified Limberg transposition flap at our center during the past 3 years and followed up for longer than 12 months were analyzed. The modification primarily consisted of an asymmetrically rotated rhomboid excision and lateralization of the lower midline. Patient demographics, days of hospitalization, complications, patient satisfaction and recurrence rates were evaluated. Result: Most patients in the study were overweight. No relationship was detected between BMI and number of sinus openings, hospital stay, drain placement or recurrences but an association with infection was noted. The number of pilonidal sinus orifices did not have a correlation with age, number of previous surgeries, duration of hospital stay or drains placement. The mean duration of hospitalization was 7.89 ± 3.41 days and the mean duration of suction drainage was 6.33±2.87 days. Half of our patients developed complications in the postoperative period. The only patient who developed superficial wound infection stayed the most in the hospital. All patients had some complaints regarding the operation site; however, they were satisfied with the result of the operation and had no recurrence at 12 months of follow-up. Conclusion: Rhomboid excision of recurrent sacrococcygeal pilonidal sinus with modified Limberg flap closure is a promising surgical technique with advantages of a good patient satisfaction and no recurrence after a year of surgery.

Pilonidal Sinus—Plenty of Literature yet Lack of Direction: A Pooled Analysis

A systematic analysis was conducted to compare various surgical treatment modalities and evaluate the short- and long-term outcomes in the management of sacrococcygeal pilonidal disease. Pilonidal sinus is a common and debilitating condition often requiring a surgical approach to treatment, of which many are available. Despite numerous treatment methods, no universal decision has been made as to the most efficient and effective surgical treatment. All randomized control trials published between January 1, 2003 and January 8, 2013 were accessed. Interventions included classic and modified Limberg flap, Karydakis flap, primary closure, and healing by secondary intention. Primary outcome measures included rate of surgical site infection, recurrence, and length of hospital stay. Secondary outcome measures were hematoma or seroma, and return to work. The search identified 22 articles suitable for inclusion in this review totaling 3693 patients. Analysis showed a 50% reduction in the rate of infection and recurrence in patients receiving closure with flaps compared with primary midline closure and healing by secondary intention. The Karydakis flap was shown to be more favorable cosmetically; however, it failed to compete with the classic and modified Limberg flap in treatment of complicated disease. No significant difference was noted between the modified Limberg and Limberg flap. These results show that the Karydakis flap, classic, and modified Limberg flap demonstrate significant benefits over healing by secondary intention and primary closure.

Modified Limberg flap versus modified Karydakis flap in pilonidal sinus disease: single surgeon experience

Background: The aim of this study was to analyze and compare the results of the modified Limberg flap (MLF) and modified Karydakis flap (MKF) techniques which were performed for the treatment of pilonidal sinus disease (PSD).Methods: The patients who were operated for PSD by the same surgeon between November 2010 and July 2013 in Konya Seydisehir Hospital were retrospectively analyzed. A total of 106 patients were evaluated in this study regarding age, gender, operation time, length of hospital stay, and postoperative complications.Results: There were 14 female and 92 male patients (MLF; 5/52 and MKF; 9/40). MLF was performed in 57 (53.8%) patients and MKF was performed in 49 (46.2%) patients. Length of Hospital stay and drain removal time were less in MKF group but it was not significantly different between two groups (p>0.05). Operation time was shorter in MKF group than MLF group (p<0.05). The complication rates of the MLF and MKF groups were 10.5% and 12.2% respectively. The recurrence was seen in 1 patient in MLF group and 2 in MKF group.Conclusions: MKF has shorter operation time than MLF, however both techniques have a similar complication and recurrence rate. In conclusion MLF and MKF procedures can be safely used as a surgical treatment of PSD.