Management of pilonidal sinus using fibrin glue: a new concept and preliminary experience.

BACKGROUND: There is a multiplicity of treatment techniques described for pilonidal sinus. However none of the methods has emerged as being superior to the others. A ideal treatment should be simple, lead to minimal disability and a rapid return to normal activity. We present the preliminary finding an operative technique using fibrin glue in patents with pilonidal sinus. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study was carried out in the surgical unit of the Armed Forces Hospital, Khamis Mushayt, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. From September 2001 to February 2004, 25 consecutive patients with primary pilonidal sinus, were prospectively submitted to tension free excision and fibrin glue injection under local anaesthesia as day surgery cases. There were 23 males and 2 females with a mean age of 26.4 years (range 17-50 years). The data recorded included the duration of the disease symptoms, operative time, duration of hospital stay, postoperative analgesia, and return to work. All excised specimens were sent to histopathology. The postoperative disability and the social disruption were evaluated by indirect questions about the ability to drive a car and the position assumed while at home in the outpatient follow-up.
RESULTS: The mean duration of the symptoms was 15.4 months (range 4-36 months). Mean operative time including local anaesthetic time was 19.3 min (range 15-50 min). The mean hospital stay was 7.5 h (range 6-10 h). All patients were discharged home on the day of surgery. Mean follow-up was 10.8 months (range 4-36 months). Primary healing was achieved in 24 (96%) patients within two weeks. One (4%) patient had a breakdown of the fibrin glue and the open wound managed with daily betadine dressings.
CONCLUSION: The management of pilonidal sinus with excision under local anesthesia and application of a fibrin glue is simple and reduces postoperative disability and disruption of patient social life.