The value of honey dressings in pilonidal cyst healing: a prospective randomized single-center trial

Background Honey is described as a wound healing agent. Many virtues have been attributed to it, in particular, antibacterial properties. The aim of our study was to evaluate its value in healing of wounds after wide excision on pilonidal cyst healing. Methods A prospective randomized trial was conducted from March 2016 to February 2022 which included patients with a persistent non healed wound which required packing 6 weeks after pilonidal cyst excision. Patients were randomly allocated to simple alginate wick dressings or the same design plus honey. Results Fifty patients were included in each arm. There were 57 men and 43 women. The median age was 22 years (range 19-28 years). The mean healing time was 61 (+/- 44) days in the wick + honey group compared to 78 (+/- 55) days in the simple alginate wick group (p = 0.094). There was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of time off work and time without physical activity The VQ-Dermato quality of life score was equivalent in both groups. Conclusions Tolerability for honey dressings is good and is equivalent to that of alginate dressings in cavity wound care. This trial did not reach a significant difference in its primary endpoint but it shows the value of honey in this indication, although its use requires further study.