Limberg flap repair for pilonidal sinus disease

Abstract

PURPOSE: There are many methods described for the treatment of sacrococcygeal pilonidal sinus disease, and none of them has been accepted as an optimal modality. Plastic procedures have some advantages, such as short duration of hospitalization, quick healing time, low risk of wound infection, and lower recurrence rates. Our choice is Limberg flap repair; we present here our experience with this procedure. METHODS: From August 1998 to July 2000, 147 male patients were treated with Limberg flap repair under regional anesthesia in a soldier's hospital. RESULTS: No major anesthetic complication or wound infection developed. Three patients (2 percent) had a seroma (with negative culture) and six patients (4.1 percent) had partial wound detachment. Patients returned to full activity on the 10th to 25th postoperative day (mean, 18.8). Patients were followed from 1 to 40 (mean; 13.1) months. Seven patients (4.8 percent) had a recurrence. CONCLUSION: The Limberg flap procedure is an easy and effective technique. Patient comfort, quick healing time, early return to full activity, and low complication and recurrence rates are the important advantages of this procedure.