Local administration of antibiotics by gentamicin-collagen sponge does not improve wound healing or reduce recurrence

Roland E Andersson1, Gudrun Lukas, Stefan Skullman

  • 1Department of Surgery, Länssjukhuset Ryhov, 551 85, Jönköping, Sweden. roland.andersson@lj.se

World Journal of Surgery
|August 25, 2010
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Adding a gentamicin-collagen sponge (Collatamp®) to surgical treatment for pilonidal disease did not significantly reduce wound infections or recurrences. This study suggests Collatamp® is not beneficial for this surgical procedure.

Area of Science:

  • Surgical Innovation
  • Wound Healing Research
  • Infectious Disease Management

Background:

  • Pilonidal disease treatment via excision and primary suture often leads to high rates of wound infection and recurrence.
  • The study investigates the efficacy of local gentamicin-collagen sponge application to mitigate these complications.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the impact of gentamicin-collagen sponge (Collatamp®) on reducing wound infection and recurrence rates following pilonidal sinus excision and primary suture.
  • To compare outcomes between patients receiving Collatamp® and those undergoing standard surgical closure.

Main Methods:

  • A randomized controlled trial involving 161 patients with symptomatic pilonidal disease across 11 hospitals.
  • Patients underwent wide excision of the pilonidal sinus, followed by randomization to either cavity filling with Collatamp® or standard wound closure.
  • Wound healing was assessed at 2-4 days, 2 weeks, 3 months, and 1 year post-surgery.

Main Results:

  • No statistically significant differences were found between the groups in wound infection, healing rates, or recurrence at 1-year follow-up.
  • Slightly fewer wounds showed exudate in the Collatamp® group at early follow-up points (2-4 days, 2 weeks).
  • A slightly higher proportion of healed wounds was observed at 3 months in the Collatamp® group, but this was not sustained at 1 year. Reoperation rates were slightly higher in the Collatamp® group.

Conclusions:

  • The addition of a gentamicin-collagen sponge (Collatamp®) to surgical excision and primary suture for pilonidal disease did not demonstrate significant benefits in reducing wound infection or recurrence rates.
  • The findings do not support the routine use of gentamicin-collagen sponges in the surgical management of pilonidal disease.
  • Further research may be needed to explore alternative or adjunct treatments for improving outcomes in pilonidal sinus surgery.

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