Comparison of the short-term results after Limberg and Karydakis procedures for pilonidal disease: randomized prospective analysis of 100 patients.

OBJECTIVE: The study was designed to compare the early postoperative results of the commonly used two surgical flap procedures in pilonidal disease: Karydakis and Limberg.

METHOD: One hundred patients were randomized into two groups and standard Limberg or Karydakis procedures were performed. All had primary sinus orifices. Infected cases and the ones with secondary orifices over 2 cm distant from primary were excluded. Data were recorded concerning complications, need for analgesia and wound dressing, periods of time off work and off driving. Patients were asked to classify their first defecation manner after the operation and also pain according to a Visual Analogue Scale with range of 1-10.

RESULTS: There was a significantly higher wound infection rate in the Karydakis group than in the Limberg group (13/50 and 4/50 respectively). This also resulted in significantly higher values for wound dressings and need for analgesia. The time off work and off driving and also the Visual Analogue Scale scores were not significantly different between the two groups.

CONCLUSION: Both procedures can be safely performed in pilonidal disease with a standard length of stay in hospital and a similar loss of productive power. However, the Karydakis flap seems to have a significant higher infection rate and this probably increases the cost.