title: The Dufourmentel modification of the limberg flap: Does it fit all?
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Pilonidal disease is a common problem, especially in young adults. Therapy for the acute disease involves abscess incision and drainage. Treatment of the chronic disease is more complicated, due to the variety of methods and relatively high recurrence rate after surgical therapy.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of the Dufourmentel modification of the Limberg flap in the treatment of pilonidal disease.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study involved 37 cases of chronic pilonidal disease that were operated on by the method presented. The group included 34 patients with primary disease and three patients with recurrences after primary excision.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The complication rate in the study group was 8.1%, but the complications were successfully treated, surgically in one patient (using the same method) and non-surgically in two other patients. There were also two cases of temporary numbness in the operated area. The only disadvantage of the method presented may be the cosmetic results, but they were not the most important factor for the patients in the study.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The authors find the Dufourmentel modification of the Limberg flap superior to other methods of treating pilonidal disease due to its flexibility, simplicity of reconstruction, repeatability and good outcomes in terms of the recurrence rate. These factors are extremely important to young and active patients who are diagnosed with pilonidal disease.
authors.affiliation: Department of Minimally Invasive Surgery and Proctology, Wroclaw Medical University, Poland.
authors.forename: Maciej
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sebastian
authors.affiliation: Department of Minimally Invasive Surgery and Proctology, Wroclaw Medical University, Poland.
authors.forename: Maciej
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sroczyński
authors.affiliation: Department of Minimally Invasive Surgery and Proctology, Wroclaw Medical University, Poland.
authors.forename: Jerzy
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Rudnicki
mesh_terms: D000038:Abscess / Q000601:surgery; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010864:Pilonidal Sinus / Q000601:surgery*; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D013536:Suture Techniques; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: pilonidal disease; recurrence; rhomboid flap