The evaluation of a modified Dufourmentel flap after S-type excision for pilonidal sinus disease

Impact of geography and surgical approach on recurrence in global pilonidal sinus disease

Pilonidal sinus disease (PSD) is increasing globally. A recent meta-analysis and merged-data analysis showed that recurrence rates in PSD depend essentially on follow-up time and specific surgical procedures. However, the global distribution of surgical approaches and respective recurrence rates have never been studied in PSD. We aimed at studying the impact of geographic distribution of surgical approaches to treat PSD and subsequent geography-specific recurrence rates. We searched relevant databases as described previously. Recurrence rates were then associated with reported follow-up times and geographic origin. We simulated individual patients to enable analogy across data. Globally, recurrence rates range from 0.3% for Limberg/Dufourmentel approaches (95% CI 0.2–0.4) and flaps (95% CI 0.1–0.5) and up to 6.3% for incision (95% CI 3.2–9.3) at 12 months. Recurrence rates range from 0.3% for Karydakis/Bascom approaches (95% CI 0.0–0.8) up to 67.2% for incision (95% CI 7.5–100) in the USA, and 0.0% for primary asymmetric closure in Germany (95% CI 0.0–0.0). Our analysis shows that recurrence rates in PSD not only depend on therapeutic approaches and follow-up time but also on geography. Primary asymmetric closure and various flap techniques remain superior regardless of the geographical region. Some approaches have extraordinarily good outcomes in specific countries.

Common surgical procedures in pilonidal sinus disease: A meta-analysis, merged data analysis, and comprehensive study on recurrence

We systematically searched available databases. We reviewed 6,143 studies published from 1833 to 2017. Reports in English, French, German, Italian, and Spanish were considered, as were publications in other languages if definitive treatment and recurrence at specific follow-up times were described in an English abstract. We assessed data in the manner of a meta-analysis of RCTs; further we assessed non-RCTs in the manner of a merged data analysis. In the RCT analysis including 11,730 patients, Limberg & Dufourmentel operations were associated with low recurrence of 0.6% (95%CI 0.3-0.9%) 12 months and 1.8% (95%CI 1.1-2.4%) respectively 24 months postoperatively. Analysing 89,583 patients from RCTs and non-RCTs, the Karydakis & Bascom approaches were associated with recurrence of only 0.2% (95%CI 0.1-0.3%) 12 months and 0.6% (95%CI 0.5-0.8%) 24 months postoperatively. Primary midline closure exhibited long-term recurrence up to 67.9% (95%CI 53.3-82.4%) 240 months post-surgery. For most procedures, only a few RCTs without long term follow up data exist, but substitute data from numerous non-RCTs are available. Recurrence in PSD is highly dependent on surgical procedure and by follow-up time; both must be considered when drawing conclusions regarding the efficacy of a procedure.

Modified Dufourmentel flap, easy to design and tailor to the defect

How to close skin defects is one of the most important considerations for skin surgeons. Rhomboid flaps are used for many types of skin defect. Such flaps, represented by the Limberg and Dufourmentel flaps, are widely used at any region of the body because they are composed of straight lines and are easy to draw. However, these valuable techniques have the disadvantage of being prone to dog-ears at a particular area of the flap. Therefore, our talented predecessors have modified these flaps in order to resolve the problems. The modified flaps they designed were difficult to draw because the modified designs were curvy and along esthetic lines. It is difficult for trainees to draw these flaps. To address this issue, we have developed newly modified rhomboid flaps that are based on the Dufourmentel flap. This flap is different from the Dufourmentel flap in omitting the top half of the diamond above the circle. Thus, the tension on the skin decreases and dog-ears are less likely to occur. In addition, our flaps are geometric and easily drawn even by novices. We believe our flap will be a promising option for closing skin defects at any site.

S-shaped wide excision with primary closure for extensive chronic pilonidal sinus disease

Background. The management of complex pilonidal sinus disease (PSD) with multiple pits on and beside the natal cleft is variable, contentious, and problematic. Wide excision of the sinus and reconstruction of the defect using different flap techniques have become more popular in recent years. Case Report. We report a case with a complex chronic PSD to which we applied primary closure after S-shaped wide excision. The patient's postoperative course was uneventful, and at the end of one-year followup he is now disease-free and comes for routine checkups. Conclusion. The simplicity of the technique and the promising results support the applicability of the S-shaped wide excision in chronic bilaterally extended large PSDs. Further studies entailing large patient populations are needed to reach a definite conclusion.