Recurrence Rates In Pilonidal Sinus Surgery: Comparison of two Techniques (Karydakis Versus Conventional Open Excision)

This was a prospective study carried out from September 2003 to September 2005 at the Surgical Department of Lahore General Hospital. The purpose of this study was to compare the recurrence rates in the recently popularized Karydakis technique and the conventional open excision for pilonidal sinus disease. Total number of patients in this study was 30 (15 patients of Karydakis technique and 15 patients of conventional open excision). The study showed that the period of postoperative hospital stay was higher in the Open excision group as compared to the Karydakis group. Similarly, early post-operative complications were more in the Open excision group as compared to the Karydakis group. The most significant finding in this study was that after follow up of one year there was no recurrence in patients operated by the Karydakis technique, whereas in the Open excision group the recurrence rate was as high as 30%. This study highlights that Karydakis technique, although a relatively new technique, is a superior alternative to Open excision for pilonidal sinus disease. It is safe, cost effective and has the main advantage of being recurrence free.