Long term results and quality of life after primary excision followed by Limberg plasty in pilonidal sinus disease.

Abstract

Background: Pilonidal sinus disease (PSD) is a frequently occurring condition that can have a significant impact on quality of life (QoL). In addition to severe pain, particularly with movement or while sitting, this disease imposes restrictions that affect one's professional and private life. These patients frequently suffer from recurrence requiring multiple interventions and hospital stays.

Methods: The study enrolled forty-seven patients who presented with PSD from August 2010 until June 2019 and underwent primary excision and LP at the Department of General, Visceral, and Vascular Surgery at University Hospital, Jena. Forty- one of these patients were questioned retrospectively in writing or by telephone interviews between July 2021 to September 2022. The data processed using SPSS software.

Results: The median follow-up for all patients was 86 months (range, 23-140 months). Only one recurrence (2.4%) was reported. While the participants' BMIs remained unchanged, they reported significant improvements in QoL, notably in five of the six activities of daily living that were evaluated.

Conclusion: The low rate of recurrence suggests that LP is an effective option for post-excision surgical repair of pilonidal sinus. The use of this procedure has no impact on patient's BMI but can significantly improve patients' QoL.