Comparison of surgical Limberg flap technique and crystallized phenol application in the treatment of pilonidal sinus disease: a retrospective study

Objective: This study was designed to compare the efficacy of crystallized phenol method with Limberg flap in pilonidal sinus treatment. Material and Methods: Patients with a diagnosis of pilonidal sinus disease treated with surgical excision + Limberg rhomboid flap technique and crystallized phenol method between 2010-2011 in the Sevket Yilmaz Training and Research Hospital, Department of General Surgery were evaluated retrospectively. Patients' age, sex, length of hospital stay, complications and recurrence rates were evaluated. Results: Eighty eight percent of patients were male and mean age was 26.84 +/- 6.41 in the Limberg group, and 24.72 +/- 5.00 in the crystallized phenol group. Sinus orifice locations and nature, and duration of symptoms before surgery were similar in the two groups. Length of hospital stay in the Limberg group was 1.46 +/- 0.61 days; whereas all patients in the crystallized phenol group were discharged on the same day. Infection, hematoma, wound dehiscence, and cosmetic problems were significantly higher in the Limberg group. There was no difference between the two groups in terms of recurrence and seroma formation. Conclusion: The less invasive method of crystallized phenol application may be an alternative approach to rhomboid excision and Limberg flap in patients with non-complicated pilonidal sinus disease, yielding acceptable recurrence rates.