Effectiveness of Gluteus Maximus Fascia Plasty Flap for Closure of Wound in Surgical Treatment of Pilonidal Disease

Abstract

Aim: to compare short- and long-term results of primary midline closure and gluteus maximus fascia flap plasty after pilonidal sinus excision. Method: retrospective analysis included consecutive patients who had primary and recurrent pilonidal sinus excised. Patients with gluteus maximus fascia flap plasty formed 1st group, patients with primary midline closure formed 2nd group. Gluteus maximus fascia flap plasty technique: (i) separation in lateral directions of both gluteus maximus fascia from muscle and subcutaneous tissue; (ii) mobilised fascia flaps are brought together to midline and sutured; (iii) subcutaneous fat and skin sutured. Results: 60 patients operated in 2007-2016 were included: 28 in 1st group, 32 in 2nd group. Groups 1 and 2 didn’t differ in operation time (41.9±4.0 and 37.3±3.1 min, p=0.4), blood loss (6.9±0.5 and 8.3±1.6 ml, p=0.2), draining rate (7.1% and 12.5%, p=0.5), hospital stay (11.8±1.3 and 9.1±1.0 days, p=0.1), time to complete wound epithelialization (1.2±0.2 and 1.5±0.4 months, p=0.37). Mean follow-up was 20.7±3.2 and 53.8±6.5 months respectively. Recurrence rate was significantly lower in gluteus maximus fascia flap plasty group (3.6%) than in the 2nd group (21.9%, p=0.04). Conclusion: gluteus maximus fascia flap plasty after pilonidal sinus excision is feasible, doesn’t increase postoperative complications rate and leads to a lower recurrence rate compared to midline closure.