A new midline closure technique without skin sutures: Long-term outcomes of primary repair of pilonidal sinus disease.

BACKGROUND

Currently, the focus regarding pilonidal sinus disease is put on the treatment techniques. The aim of the study is to compare postoperative long-term complications and recurrence of two surgical techniques.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

From February 2015 to December 2020, male patients with pilonidal sinus disease attended at two general surgery outpatient centers were randomly assigned to either Group 1 (n=80; excision and primary closure) or Group 2 (n=80; excision and midline closure without skin sutures). Patients with recurrent or complicated pilonidal sinus or with prior surgical procedures were excluded from the study. Intergroup postoperative results and recurrence throughout the follow-up period were analyzed.

RESULTS

Significant decrease (p<0.001) in the duration of the surgical procedure (35 to 25 minutes), length of hospital stay (one day to the day of the surgery), and of the time required to return to work (15 to 12 days) was seen for Group 2 patients. The complication rate (wound infection and seroma) was lower in Group 2 compared to Group 1 (n = 3; 3.7% vs n = 10; 12.5%; p = 0.014). During the five-year mean follow-up, five patients (6.2%) in Group 1 had recurrence compared to none in Group 2 (p = 0.023).

CONCLUSIONS

Midline primary closure method without skin sutures - easy to learn and implement and has no complication or recurrence in the long-term follow-up - may be an ideal method in cases where excision and primary repair is planned, especially in patients with sinus orifices located in the midline.