The V-Y flap technique in complicated and recurrent pilonidal sinus disease

This study presents early and long term (5 years) outcome of 61 complicated pilonidal sinus disease cases undergoing V-Y advancement flap method together with the literature data.

Data of 336 patients undergoing surgery for pilonidal sinus disease between 2008 and 2012 were retrospectively analyzed. Patients with defect size ≥ 10 cm, and more than one subcutaneous sinus tunnels were assumed to have complicated pilonidal sinus disease. A total of 61 patients were included in the study. Age, gender, type of surgery, duration of hospitalization, time of drain removal, pre-operative complications, and relapse rates at post-operative 5th year were analyzed.

Of the 66 patients, 51 underwent unilateral V-Y advancement and 10 patients had bilateral V-Y plasty. Mean duration of operations was 66.87±18.37 minutes for total, 61.02±12.30 minutes for unilateral V-Y plasty, and 96.70±15.04 minutes for bilateral V-Y plasty. Hemovac drains were removed at 5.59±1.91 days averagely, 5.16±1.37 in unilateral group, and 7.80±2.74 in bilateral V-Y plasty group. Of the 4 patients who developed wound site infection, 2 had unilateral and 2 had bilateral V-Y flap advancement. Postoperative hematomas developed in 2 patients with unilateral flap and one patient with bilateral flapss. Seroma occurred in 2 patients with unilateral flap and one patient with bilateral flaps. Dehiscence developed two patients, one patient from each group. The mean duration of hosptalization was 5.98±2.21 days; 5.49±1.52 in unilateral group, and 8.50±3.34 in bilateral group. Early or late relapse was not seen in any groups.

V-Y advancement flap technique can be applied as an efficient method in the treatment of complicated pilonidal sinus disease due to low relapse and complication rates.

Advancement flap, Complicated pilonidal sinus, Pilonidal sinus, V-Y flap.