Vacuum-assisted closure of a complex pilonidal sinus

INTRODUCTION: The annual incidence of pilonidal sinus is approximately 26 per 100,000, of which complex pilonidal sinuses are the minority. Many different approaches have been described for managing simple cases. Treatment options for complex pilonidal sinus include excision with healing by secondary intention or plastic surgical procedures to obliterate the defect. Recently, vacuum-assisted closure has been used by plastic surgeons to facilitate healing of chronic or complicated,wounds with particular success in treating pressure wounds overlying the sacrum. METHODS: A patient with a complex pilonidal sinus was managed with excision and vacuum-assisted closure. RESULTS: A large tissue defect after radical excision healed relatively quickly when the subatmospheric pressure dressing was applied. The patient was discharged with the vacuum pump and change of dressings for alternate days. CONCLUSION: Vacuum-assisted closure of a complex pilonidal sinus shortened the length of hospital stay and the need for further surgery and provided a cosmetically acceptable result.