Karydakis versus Limberg flap reconstruction for the treatment of recurrent pilonidal disease: a prospective randomized controlled trial

Background Pilonidal disease is common among adults and is associated with a high recurrence rate, patient discomfort, and high morbidity. Objective This study aims to assess the perioperative findings, early postoperative outcomes, and the satisfaction level in patients with recurrent pilonidal disease, who have been subjected to either Karydakis flap or Limberg flap techniques. Patients and methods This was a prospective randomized controlled study. The study was conducted on patients with pilonidal disease visiting the Mansura University Hospital, Egypt during the period from February 2014 to September 2017. The patients were randomly assigned to undergo either Karydakis flap or Limberg flap groups. The follow-up period ranged from 18 to 28 months, and the mean follow-up period was about 23 months. Surgical findings, complications, recurrence rates, and the degree of patient satisfaction using a 10-point Likert type scale were analyzed and compared. Results In total, 120 (115 men and five women) patients with a median age of 22 years (range: 18-40 years) participated in this study. There were no significant differences between the two groups in terms of complications rate, length of hospital stay, or recurrence rate. Patients in the Karydakis group reported faster healing and felt completely healed postoperatively. Conclusion The two groups reported similar rates of satisfaction.