Wide Local Excision of Complex or Infected Pilonidal Sinus Followed by Negative Pressure Wound Therapy: Does It Enhance Wound Healing?

Background Pilonidal sinus disease (PSD) is a chronic skin condition caused by hair retention that affects the sacrococcygeal cleft. The purpose of this study is to compare the efficacy of negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) to routine daily dressings (DDs) in wound healing after complex or infected pilonidal sinus tract excision. Materials and methods The study included 81 individuals who had extensive local excisions for pilonidal sinuses that were complex or infected. Randomly selected participants were given either NPWT or the usual dressing. Between the two groups, the length of hospitalization, the amount of time needed to resume daily activities, and the amount of time needed for full wound closure were compared. Results Forty-two patients received NPWT, while 39 patients received DDs as usual. There was no discernible difference between the two groups in terms of operating time or hospital stay. However, patients who underwent NPWT experienced a quicker final wound closure (59.24 +/- 10.21 days compared to routine DD with a mean time of 75.31 +/- 14.68 days, P = 0.001) and returned to normal activities earlier (17.36 versus 21.75 days in NPWT and routine DD, respectively). Conclusion Compared to patients who received standard DDs, those who were postoperatively managed with NPWT showed faster wound healing and return to normal activities. Whenever feasible, this strategy may be employed to improve patient recovery.