Short and long-term results of the Karydakis flap versus the Limberg flap for treating pilonidal sinus disease: a prospective randomized study

Abstract Background Pilonidal sinus is a common disease that mostly affects young people. Although various surgical techniques have been described for treating sacrococcygeal pilonidal disease (SPD), controversy still exists as to the best surgical technique. The purpose of this study was to compare the efficiency and short-term and long-term results of the Karydakis flap with that of the Limberg flap for treating SPD. Methods In this prospective randomized study, 269 patients with SPD were recruited to undergo either the Karydakis flap (n = 135) or the Limberg flap (n = 134) procedure between September 2004 and September 2008. Results The mean operative time for the Karydakis group (42.32 ± 8.64 minutes) was shorter than that for the Limberg group (50.14 ± 6.96 minutes) ( P = .01). The complication rate for the Karydakis group (n = 15 [11.1%]) was lower than that for the Limberg group (n = 28 [20.8%]) ( P = .029). The visual analogue scale score for postoperative pain at the operation site on the 30th day was lower in the Karydakis group than in the Limberg group (2.22 ± 1.01 vs 3.23 ± 1.14, P = .01). The visual analogue scale score for satisfaction with the cosmetic appearance of the scars in the Karydakis group was 7.08 ± 1.75, whereas it was 3.16 ± 1.40 in the Limberg group at the 3rd month ( P = .01). Length of hospital stay was significantly shorter in the Karydakis group than in the Limberg group (3.40 ± .94 vs 3.8 ± 1.19 days, P = .03). Only 4 patients in the Karydakis group developed recurrence (3%), whereas 9 patients (6.9%) did so in the Limberg group ( P = .151). Conclusions The Karydakis flap procedure should be chosen instead of the Limberg flap for treating uncomplicated SPD because of its lower postoperative complication rate, lower pain scores, shorter operation time and length of hospital stay, and good cosmetic satisfaction. However, no differences existed between the 2 surgical procedures in terms of recurrence prevention.