Management of 634 Consecutive Patients with Chronic Pilonidal Sinus: A Nine-Year Experience of a Single Institute

Mahmoud F. Sakr, Mohamed E. Elserafy, Hossam M. Hamed, Mohammad A. Ramadan, Hisham E. Kantoush, Hisham M. El-Torky

Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Ain-Shams University, Cairo, Egypt.
Department of Surgery, University of Alexandria, Alexandria, Egypt; Surgical Division, Ahmadi Hospital, KOC, Ahmadi, Kuwait.
Surgical Division, Ahmadi Hospital, KOC, Ahmadi, Kuwait.
Surgical Division, Ahmadi Hospital, KOC, Ahmadi, Kuwait; Department of Surgery, Medical Research Institute, University of Alexandria, Alexandria, Egypt.

DOI: 10.4236/ss.2012.33029                

Abstract

Objectives: Different surgical techniques, with variable morbidity and recurrence rates, have been advocated for the management of chronic pilonidal sinus (PNS). This study was conducted to report the outcome of surgical treatment of 634 cases of chronic PNS at a single institute between January 2001 and January 2010. Methods: Karydakis flap was performed in 244 patients (38.5%, Group 1). Excision and midline closure was performed in 371 patients (58.5%, Group 2), while the open method was used in 19 (3.0%). Data regarding patient and sinus characteristics, operative de-tails, postoperative course, complications and recurrence were recorded. Mean follow-up was 73.5 months. Results: 571 patients were male (90.1%) and 63 were female (9.9%). Their ages ranged between 16 - 44 years (mean 25.7 years). The mean body mass index was 31.2 (range 23.6 - 41.9), and 71.5% (453/634) were hirsute. Chronic PNS was the first presentation (primary) in 504 patients (79.5%) and recurrent in 130 (20.5%).Overall complication rate was 16.1% (102/ 634) and overall recurrence rate was 8.4% (53/634). Comparing both groups showed that they were similar regarding demographic characteristics, clinical presentation, hospital stay, healing time and time off work. Operative time was insignificantly longer with Karydakis technique (mean 43.2 versus 39.1 minutes, respectively). Complications were sig-nificantly more in patients with midline closure (21%, 78/371) as compared with Karydakis procedure (9%, 22/244) (P = 0.0001). Likewise, there was a significantly (P = 0.0001) higher rate of recurrence with midline closure (12.1%, 45/371) as opposed to Karydakis technique (2.5%, 6/244). Conclusions: 1) PNS affects mainly young male adults who are usually, obese and hirsute, 2) Karydakis technique for the management of chronic PNS, whether primary or recurrent, is a non-lengthy, efficient procedure that has less overall complications and a lower recurrence rate than conventional excision and midline closure.

Keywords

Pilonidal Sinus; Chronic; Karydakis; Midline Closure; Recurrence

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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