Prospective evaluation of outcome of karydakis flap for sacrococcygeal pilonidal disease

Sacrococcygel region is the most common site for pilonidal sinus and surgery is the most common treatment for it. Numerous operative techniques have been described for management of this disease; but a technique with low recurrence and complication rates is the best treatment option. Karydakis has been introduced as a method with less recurrence rate, but it seems that surgeons debate on complications and it is not a common technique in our country. In this article, we will discuss Karydakis procedure and its results after a prospective follow-up in our patients. This is a prospective single cohort study on the patients with sacrococcygeal pilonidal disease. Cases evaluated in this study included patients underwent Karydakis procedure for their pilonidal sinus from 23 September 2006 to 22 September 2013. Patients were followed-up prospectively after their discharge within the first week, first month and third month for early complications and then annually for recurrence. The length of follow-up ranged from 3 to 77 months (median 36 months). Of 141 patients, 119 (84.4%) were male and mean operating time was 55.52 (35-120) minutes. Mean time to healing wound with no need to dressing was 15.92 (range: 2-120) days and mean time to return to work was 14.44 (range, 1-35) days. Overall rate of early post-operative complications was 21.3% that most of them treated conservatively. Wound breakdown within the caudal part was the most common complication detected in 12.1% of patients and infection was detected in 5.8%. Hematoma, seroma and complete wound breakdown were seen in one patient each. The mean score of patient's satisfaction after one year was 4.91 out of 5. Recurrence was appeared in 1.42% of patients. Karydakis procedure for sacrococcygeal pilonidal disease is associated with low complications, short healing time and return to work, and reasonable recurrence rate. Keywords: