Comparison of karydakis technique with limberg flap procedure in pilonidal sinus disease: advantages of karydakis technique

Several surgical techniques are being performed in the treatment of pilonidal sinus disease; however there is no single agreed technique that could be used in all patients. In this study we compared the results of the patients on which we implemented Karydakis Technique and Limberg flap procedure, the two most common techniques and tried to find the better operative modality. One hundred thirty three patients operated between January 2004 and November 2008 and followed up regularly were included in the study. Patients who came applied due to recurrence were not included. Seventy three patients were operated with Karydakis technique and 60 patients were operated with Limberg flap procedure. Two groups were compared in terms of hospitalization period, work loss period, recurrence rate, infection rate, and whether seroma and hematom formed or not. Operation period, hospitalization period, work loss period were shorter for the patients on which Karydakis technique was implemented [P<0.05]. While no statistically significant difference was observed between the two groups in terms of recurrence rate [P=0.034], wound dehiscence, wound infection, hematom/seroma rate were more in Limberg flap group [P=0.001, P=0.032, P=0.022, respectively]. Karydakis technique, which is one of the most practiced surgical techniques in treatment of Pilonidal sinus disease, should be a preferred method in terms of shorter operation time, hospitalization period and less work loss and lower complication

Changes in comorbid diseases in morbidly obese patients treated by laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding

Morbid obesity is often accompanied by several comorbid diseases which reduce lifespan and impair quality of life. Laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding [LAGB] is a minimal invasive procedure effective in the treatment of morbid obesity. The aim of this study was to determine the change in comorbidities in patients treated by LAGB who achieved weight loss. Among 134 morbidly obese patients treated by LAGB, 127 patients who were followed regularly and evaluated regarding the change in comorbidities, and laboratory and clinical measurements were recorded. Excess weight loss [EWL] and the percent improvement in comorbid diseases [PICD] were calculated by using the Friedman's test. P value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Of 127 cases with a mean age of 29.51 +/- 6.7 years. Pre-operative BMI was 48.38 +/- 7.81 kg/m[2]. Comorbid disease was present in 62 [48.8%] patients. The mean follow-up duration was 23.83 +/- 8.78 months. The EWL was 52.6% [p<0.05] and the PICD was 74.8% [p<0.05]. Complications were noted in 34 patients [26.8%]. LAGB is a minimally invasive procedure which is effective in the treatment of morbid obesity, and reduces the length of hospital stay. Comorbid diseases are significantly improved in patients who achieve weight loss by the LAGB procedure