title: Long-term results of limberg flap procedure for treatment of pilonidal sinus: a report of 200 cases.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  In the past, various methods of surgical or nonsurgical treatment of sacrococcygeal pilonidal sinus have been used. The most common problem in the treatment of this disease is recurrence. In the present study, our aim was to determine the long-term results of the Limberg flap procedure.
  
  
  METHODS
  We present 200 consecutive patients with pilonidal sinus who underwent the Limberg flap procedure between 1992 and 2001. Twenty-six (13 percent) of the 200 patients were operated on because of recurrent pilonidal sinus. Under general or local anesthesia, all sinus tracts were resected en bloc, and the Limberg flap was prepared from the gluteal region. We used a suction drain. We met all patients and recorded their complaints and complications of treatment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Five sinuses recurred (2.5 percent). Minimal flap necrosis occurred in only six patients (3 percent). In three patients (1.5 percent), seroma developed. Wound infection occurred in three patients (1.5 percent). The mean hospital stay was 3.1 days, whereas the mean time to return to work was 12.8 days.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The Limberg flap procedure is a good treatment choice for pilonidal sinus because of its low complication rate, the short time to return to normal activity, and good long-term results. This procedure has good postoperative results and is a comfortable surgical method for the patient.
authors: Department of General Surgery, Ondokuz Mayis University School of Medicine, Samsun, Turkey.
authors: Koray
authors: K
authors: Topgül
authors: Ersin
authors: E
authors: Ozdemir
authors: Kadir
authors: K
authors: Kiliç
authors: Hakan
authors: H
authors: Gökbayir
authors: Zafer
authors: Z
authors: Ferahköşe
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010864:Pilonidal Sinus / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D055502:Secondary Prevention; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D013536:Suture Techniques; D016896:Treatment Outcome