Comparison of early surgery (unroofing-curettage) and elective surgery (Karydakis flap technique) in pilonidal sinus abscess cases.

BACKGROUND The aim of this study is to compare the effectiveness and success of early (acute) period local surgical intervention (unroofing-curettage) followed by dressing and secondary healing with the surgery performed in elective conditions (pilonidal sinus excision and Karydakis flap) following conventional abscess treatment (drainage-antibiotic therapy) in pilonidal sinus abscess cases. METHODS The data of the patients treated for pilonidal sinus abscesses in our clinic between January 2012 and March 2013 were analyzed, retrospectively. Those who had early surgery were determined as Group S, and those who had elective surgery following drainage-antibiotic therapy were determined as Group K. Patients in both groups were compared in terms of age, gender, complications, recurrence rate and healing time. Patients were followed for an average of 14 months. RESULTS Of the 53 patients included in the study, 28 were in Group S and 25 in Group K. The mean age and gender distribution of both groups were similar and a significant difference was not found between the groups in terms of complication development and recurrence. However, there was a statistically significant difference between the groups in terms of treatment duration (p=0.02). CONCLUSION In treating acute pilonidal abscesses, the Karydakis method, following drainage-antibiotic therapy, is a preferable method due to its shorter treatment duration and higher patient comfort.