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Lower Recurrence Rate for Limberg vs. V-Y Flap for Pilonidal Sinus

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Diseases of the Colon & Rectum

Purpose

Pilonidal sinus is a disease that does not have a standardized surgical treatment method. This study was designed to compare the outcomes of Limberg fasciocutaneous transposition and V-Y fasciocutaneous advancement flaps in the treatment of patients with pilonidal sinus.

Methods

A total of 111 patients (98 males; 88.3 percent; mean age, 27.1 years) who received reconstruction after pilonidal sinus excision in our clinics with Limberg flap (Group 1, n = 66, 59.5 percent) or V-Y flaps (Group 2, n = 45, 40.5 percent) between 1997 and 2004 were investigated retrospectively.

Results

No significant difference was detected between Groups 1 and 2 in terms of gender, history of infection or abscess, mean duration of operation, requirement for analgesics, wound-related complications, such as necrosis, seroma, and infection, and average time off work. Mean follow-up periods were 45.4 vs. 48.8 months in Group 1 and Group 2, respectively (P = 0.337). On the other hand, rate of recurrence was significantly lower in Group 1 (n = 1, 1.5 percent) compared with Group 2 (n = 5, 11.1 percent; P = 0.039).

Conclusions

We conclude that, if the defect is to be reconstructed with a flap in pilonidal sinus cases, reconstruction with Limberg flap should be preferred over reconstruction with V-Y flap because of its lower rate of recurrence.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. 4th General Surgery Clinic, Ataturk Training and Research Hospital, Yesilyurt, Izmir, Turkey

    Haluk R. Unalp M.D., Erdinc Kamer M.D. & Mehmet Ali Onal M.D.

  2. 3th General Surgery Clinic, Ataturk Training and Research Hospital, Yesilyurt, Izmir, Turkey

    Hayrullah Derici M.D. & Okay Nazli M.D.

  3. Ataturk Egitim ve Arastirma Hastanesi 4, Genel Cerrahi Klinigi, Yesilyurt, 35820, Izmir, Turkey

    Haluk R. Unalp M.D.

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  1. Haluk R. Unalp M.D.
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  5. Mehmet Ali Onal M.D.
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Correspondence to Haluk R. Unalp M.D..

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Unalp, H.R., Derici, H., Kamer, E. et al. Lower Recurrence Rate for Limberg vs. V-Y Flap for Pilonidal Sinus. Dis Colon Rectum 50, 1436–1444 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10350-007-0276-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10350-007-0276-8

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