Use of a vacuum assisted closure device in pilonidal disease

The use of negative-pressure wound therapy in pilonidal sinus disease: a randomized controlled trial comparing negative-pressure wound therapy versus standard open wound care after surgical excision

BACKGROUND

Pilonidal sinus disease is associated with significant morbidity after surgical treatment with regard to wound healing. Recent case studies suggested that negative-pressure wound therapy as primary treatment following surgical excision may shorten the duration of wound healing.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this randomized controlled trial was to evaluate the role of vacuum therapy in pilonidal sinus disease: negative-pressure wound therapy versus standard open wound care after surgical excision.

METHODS

Patients were randomly assigned to either negative-pressure wound therapy for 2 weeks or standard open wound healing. The primary end point of the study was the time to complete wound healing. Secondary end points were visual analog scale score, wound size ratio at day 14 (ie, wound healing rate), time to resume daily activities, and recurrence within 6 months after wound closure.

RESULTS

Forty-nine patients were included in the study: 24 patients were treated with vacuum therapy, and 25 patients underwent standard open wound care. Complete wound healing was achieved at a median of 84 days in the vacuum therapy group versus 93 days in control patients (p = 0.44). The wound size ratio was significantly lower in the vacuum therapy group (0.30 versus 0.57, p = 0.02), ie, higher wound healing rate in the first 2 weeks. There was no difference in visual analog scale scores and disease recurrence between both groups. The time to resume full daily activities after surgery was 27 days in the patients undergoing vacuum therapy and 29 days in the control patients (p = 0.92).

LIMITATIONS

This study is limited by the small number of patients, the lack of blinding to patients and doctors, and the absence of patient quality-of-life evaluation.

CONCLUSION

It is feasible to apply vacuum therapy in the treatment of pilonidal sinus disease, and it has a positive effect on wound size reduction in the first 2 weeks. However, there is no difference in time to complete wound healing and time to resume daily life activities.

Antimicrobials as an adjunct to pilonidal disease surgery: a systematic review of the literature

Surgical site infection (SSI) after pilonidal disease surgery can lead to serious complications. We systematically searched the PubMed, Scopus, and ClinicalTrials.gov databases for studies evaluating the use of antimicrobials as an adjunct to pilonidal disease surgery. We identified 12 eligible studies [nine randomized controlled trials (RCTs), three retrospective cohort studies], enrolling a total of 1,172 patients. No difference was observed when single-dose prophylaxis was compared to no prophylaxis or to a long course of antibiotics (seven studies, 690 patients). Similarly, gentamicin collagen sponges (GCS) did not appear to be beneficial when compared with no GCS (with primary or secondary closure; four studies, 402 patients). One study (80 patients) reported faster healing and lower SSI and recurrence rates with GCS than a 7-day course of antibiotics. The clinical heterogeneity precluded a formal meta-analysis. Although the generalization of our findings may be limited by the relative paucity and clinical heterogeneity of the existing studies, prophylactic antibiotics or GCS did not appear to be beneficial in promoting healing or reducing SSI or recurrence rates. Large, double-blind, placebo-controlled RCTs are warranted in order to further elucidate this issue.

Development of an evidence-based protocol for care of pilonidal sinus wounds healing by secondary intent using a modified reactive Delphi procedure. Part one: the literature review*

This article is in two parts. The overall aim of this section was to review the literature in relation to pilonidal sinus wounds (PSW) healing by secondary intent for a Master's of Science in Wound Healing and Tissue Repair thesis. The purpose of the literature review was to determine if an evidence-based guideline or consensus document existed for the care of these wounds, and if not, to determine the topics from which to develop items for the first round of a modified reactive Delphi questionnaire. Part two will describe the iterative process, the analysis and the results. The review found no best practice guidelines concerning PSW, and only one clinical pathway. Seventeen areas of interest were identified that may contribute to optimal healing conditions or to delayed healing. These included microbiology of infected PSW, signs and symptoms of localised or deeper (spreading) chronic wound infection, swab for c&s, role of topical antiseptics or antimicrobials, systemic antibiotics, local wound interventions, optimal positioning, wound cleansing, principles of moist wound healing/dressing selection, topical negative pressure (TNP) therapy, peri-wound skin decontamination and depilation, pain control, physical activities, optimal nutrition and patient education.

Negative pressure wound therapy for recurrent pilonidal disease: a review of the literature

Pilonidal disease arises from hair follicles of the gluteal cleft and may result in a chronic exudative disorder. The management of pilonidal disease following surgical excision remains controversial, despite an abundance of research into different treatment options. Negative pressure wound therapy is an emerging treatment option for complex or recurrent pilonidal disease. We performed a comprehensive literature search, using the electronic databases MEDLINE, Cochrane library, CINAHL, PubMed, and Web of Knowledge. All studies, case reports, and multiple case series evaluating the use of negative pressure wound therapy for treatment of pilonidal disease were included. Despite the breadth of our search parameters, we identified limited studies addressing this issue; all were published between 2003 and 2007. Findings of 5 case reports or multiple case series tentatively suggest that negative pressure wound therapy may be an emerging treatment option for pilonidal disease management. However, we recommend that more rigorous research, including randomized controlled trials, be conducted before implications can be drawn for evidence-based practice.

The effects of a sacrococcygeal pilonidal sinus wound on activities of living: thematic analysis of participant interviews

AIMS AND OBJECTIVE

To describe the effects sacrococcygeal pilonidal sinus wounds had on participants' activities of living.

BACKGROUND

A sacrococcygeal pilonidal sinus commonly occurs in healthy young people and is associated with considerable morbidity and discomfort. Surgery is frequently required, and patients are often discharged home with large open wounds. Most research has addressed the technical aspects of surgery and treatment.

DESIGN

An interpretive descriptive approach guided by The Model of Living framework.

METHODS

Purposive sampling was used to recruit four women and seven men, age range 17-39 years, from a metropolitan hospital in NSW, Australia. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews that were audio-taped, transcribed verbatim and analysed using thematic analysis.

RESULTS

Three themes and eight subthemes emerged from the analysis: (1) 'Adaption' included subthemes, learning to live with the wound, difficulty living with the wound and living life despite the wound; (2) 'Perception' embraced subthemes, embarrassment, lack of understanding and changed body image; and (3) 'Control' included subthemes, loss of control and gaining control. Participants whose pain was not managed, who were unprepared for the postoperative recovery at home or experienced delayed wound healing had most difficulty with activities of living.

CONCLUSIONS

This research gives some insight into the pilonidal wound experience from the person's perspective. All activities of living were affected by the pilonidal sinus wound. The effect was variable and influenced by pain, embarrassment and a general lack of understanding about the condition and the care of the wound. The specific wound location was an underlying factor causing problems for participants.

RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE

Individualised care will help in reducing discomfort and improving life experiences following surgery. Patients who are prepared for the postoperative recovery at home, have adequate analgesia and do not experience delayed wound healing are more likely to manage activities of living.

Pilonidal disease

Pilonidal disease is a common anorectal problem that typically affects young people. Numerous surgical procedures have been described, but treatment failure and disease recurrence are frequent, leading to considerable morbidity in these otherwise healthy patients. To manage this problem successfully, surgeons must consider the pathogenesis and presentation of the disease and weigh the advantages and disadvantages of any operation. Discussed in this article are the pathogenesis of pilonidal disease and basic treatment options for acute pilonidal abscesses, sinus tracts, and chronic or recurrent pilonidal disease.

V.A.C. Therapy in the management of paediatric wounds: clinical review and experience

Usage of negative pressure wound therapy (NPWT) in the management of acute and chronic wounds has grown exponentially in the past decade. Hundreds of studies have been published regarding outcomes and methods of therapy used for adult wounds. This treatment is increasingly being used to manage difficult-to-treat paediatric wounds arising from congenital defects, trauma, infection, tumour, burns, pressure ulceration and postsurgical complications in children, although relatively few studies have been aimed at this population. Given the anatomical and physiological differences between adults and children, a multidisciplinary expert advisory panel was convened to determine appropriate use of NPWT with reticulated open cell foam (NPWT/ROCF) as delivered by Vacuum Assisted Closure (V.A.C. Therapy, KCI Licensing, Inc., San Antonio, TX) for the treatment of paediatric wounds. The primary objectives of the expert advisory panel were to exchange state-of-practice information on paediatric wound care, review the published data regarding the use of NPWT/ROCF in paediatric wounds, evaluate the strength of the existing data and establish guidelines on best practices with NPWT/ROCF for the paediatric population. The proposed paediatrics-specific clinical practice guidelines are meant to provide practitioners an evidence base from which decisions could be made regarding the safe and efficacious selection of pressure settings, foam type, dressing change frequency and use of interposing contact layer selections. The guidelines reflect the state of knowledge on effective and appropriate wound care at the time of publication. They are the result of consensus reached by expert advisory panel members based on their individual clinical and published experiences related to the use of NPWT/ROCF in treating paediatric wounds. Best practices are described herein for novice and advanced users of NPWT/ROCF. Recommendations by the expert panel may not be appropriate for use in all circumstances. Decisions to adopt any particular recommendation must be made by the collaborating medical team, including the surgeon and wound care specialist based on available resources, individual patient circumstances and experience with the V.A.C. Therapy System.

Sacrococcygeal pilonidal disease

BACKGROUND

Sacrococcygeal pilonidal is a common disease in active young adults. Many surgical methods have been proposed, although no clear consensus as to the optimal treatment has been reported. This review looks at the different surgical techniques available and examines the reported results of primary healing, recurrent disease and complications (including delayed healing).

METHOD

A literature search using the Medline database was performed to locate English language articles on surgery for pilonidal disease. Further articles were obtained from the references cited in the literature initially reviewed.

RESULTS

Management should be tailored according to the individual and whether the disease is acute or chronic. Treatment should take into consideration hospital stay and return to work. Simple excision, curettage, partial lateral wall excision, or marsupialisation, are simple techniques with good results. They can be used for the initial surgery but their use is not recommended for recurrent disease. The modified rhomboid flap for recurrent disease has consistently shown positive results in terms of complication rates and recurrence.

CONCLUSION

We would recommend tailored treatment with simple excision for initial presentation and the modified rhomboid flap for recurrent disease.

Use of porcine dermal collagen graft and topical negative pressure on infected open abdominal wounds

This article reports on two cases in which porcine dermal collagen grafts were used successfully alongside topical negative pressure therapy in order to close open abdominal wounds in which severe infection was present.