Abstract

The term, pilonidal sinus describes a condition found in the natal cleft overlying the coccyx. It is usually treated by excision. A randomized controlled trial was conducted among 40 patients with pilonidal sinus presenting to the surgical outpatient department of Government General Hospital, Ananthapuramu over 1 year. Patients with H/O any previous surgery in the sacrococcygeal region, abscess formation, and any immunodeficiency were excluded from the study. Patients were selected by consecutive sampling. Patients were assigned either to the study group (Limberg flap technique) or the Control group (Excision with primary closure) randomly so that each group comprised 20 patients. All patients were operated under spinal anesthesia. Informed consent was obtained from patients. Patients were followed up 6 months postoperatively. Data was presented as mean (with standard deviation), percentages, and proportions. chi-square test and unpaired t-test were used to test the difference between groups. SPSS version 25 was used for statistical analysis. The mean age of patients in the study group was 25.2 + 5.3 years and the control group was 24.4 + 6.1 years. Post-operative pain on day 1 was higher among patients with the Limberg flap technique compared to excision with primary closure but on long-term follow-up, it declined gradually. The recurrence rate was 5% in the Limberg flap technique compared to 35% in excision with primary closure. Complications like seroma formation (5%), and stitch line infection (5%) were less in the Limberg flap technique as compared to primary closure (25% and 30% respectively). The Limberg flap method for the treatment of pilonidal sinus has low complication and recurrence rates compared to excision with the primary closure technique.

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