Intradermal absorbable sutures to close pilonidal sinus wounds: a safe closure method?

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to demonstrate the safety of using intradermal absorbable sutures for pilonidal sinus skin closure. METHODS: The study was prospectively carried out in 203 patients randomized into two groups of patients. In the first group (103 patients), interrupted sutures were used; in the second group (100 patients), a continuous intradermal suture was used. We have analyzed the time off work, time to walk without pain, time to sit on the toilet without pain, wound infections, satisfaction rate and esthetic results. RESULTS: There were no significant differences between the groups with regard to the time off work, time to walk without pain and time to sit on a toilet without pain. There was also no significant difference between the groups with regard to the wound infection rates (p = 0.64). The study suggested that the patients' satisfaction was higher when an intradermal suture was used (p = 0.001). Similarly, a better cosmetic appearance of the scar was obtained with an intradermal suture (p = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that using intradermal sutures after excision and primary closure of the pilonidal sinus is safe and has advantages in terms of the cosmetic results and patient satisfaction.