Using negative pressure wound therapy following surgery for complex pilonidal disease: a case series

Area of Science:

• Surgical Oncology
• Wound Healing
• Medical Devices

Background:

• Complex pilonidal disease involves chronic or recurrent abscesses and extensive sinus tracts.
• Standard treatment necessitates wide tissue excision, followed by secondary intention healing or reconstructive surgery.
• Evaluating novel therapeutic modalities for complex pilonidal disease is crucial due to treatment challenges.

Observation:

• A pilot study treated five patients with complex pilonidal disease using negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) post-excision.
• Patients received NPWT on an outpatient basis for an average of six weeks.
• Wound defects averaged 205 cm³ after surgical excision.

Findings:

• Complete epithelialization averaged 12 weeks, with one patient discontinuing treatment due to skin irritation.
• No other complications were reported during the NPWT application period.
• This approach demonstrated feasibility in managing complex pilonidal disease defects.

Implications:

• Negative pressure wound therapy may be a viable alternative to moist saline dressings for complex pilonidal disease.
• Further research and long-term follow-up are needed to evaluate recurrence and failure rates.
• Additional studies are warranted to confirm the efficacy and safety of NPWT in pilonidal disease management.