John Bascom1, Thomas Bascom. 1. Sacred Heart Medical Center, 1255 Hilyard, Eugene, OR 97401, USA. JbascomR@pacinfo.com
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Refractory pilonidal disease is a problem. We wished to show the utility of the cleft lift procedure in solving nonhealing. METHODS: We selected a subset of challenging cases for this study. The subset included all patients referred with persistent open wounds despite at least 2 prior pilonidal surgeries elsewhere. RESULTS: The 69 patients had undergone 223 surgeries (average, 3) and endured open wounds for a sum of 365 years (average, 5). All patients we contacted were healed after a single cleft lift surgery with 3 exceptions. Two patients required 2 lifts before healing and 1 patient required 3 lifts. CONCLUSIONS: The cleft lift procedure gave excellent results in patients with refractory pilonidal disease.
BACKGROUND: Refractory pilonidal disease is a problem. We wished to show the utility of the cleft lift procedure in solving nonhealing. METHODS: We selected a subset of challenging cases for this study. The subset included all patients referred with persistent open wounds despite at least 2 prior pilonidal surgeries elsewhere. RESULTS: The 69 patients had undergone 223 surgeries (average, 3) and endured open wounds for a sum of 365 years (average, 5). All patients we contacted were healed after a single cleft lift surgery with 3 exceptions. Two patients required 2 lifts before healing and 1 patient required 3 lifts. CONCLUSIONS: The cleft lift procedure gave excellent results in patients with refractory pilonidal disease.
Authors: P M Ortega; J Baixauli; J Arredondo; M Bellver; C Sánchez-Justicia; S Ocaña; J L Hernández-Lizoain Journal: Surg Today Date: 2014-05-21 Impact factor: 2.549