Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42098544›Full record

Trial reportTechniques in coloproctology2026

Comparing keystone and Limberg flaps for pilonidal sinus: Does flap choice influence patient satisfaction?

Mohamed Wael, Abdelhamid Ghazal, Ahmed Ismail Ibrahim, Mostafa Refaie Elkeleny, Ahmed Abdelfattah Sabry, Mostafa Seif

Abstract readComparative StudyRandomized Controlled Trial
In one paragraph

Trial report in Techniques in coloproctology, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

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2 · The registry

The trial behind it

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3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors.

Mohamed WaelAlexandria Main University Hospital, Alexandria, Egypt. m_mohamed12@alexmed.edu.eg.ORCID 0000-0003-1920-6810
Abdelhamid GhazalAlexandria Main University Hospital, Alexandria, Egypt.
Ahmed Ismail IbrahimAlexandria Main University Hospital, Alexandria, Egypt.ORCID 0009-0008-0136-3010
Mostafa Refaie ElkelenyAlexandria Main University Hospital, Alexandria, Egypt.ORCID 0000-0002-0163-1707
Ahmed Abdelfattah SabryAlexandria Main University Hospital, Alexandria, Egypt.ORCID 0000-0001-5999-9339
Mostafa SeifAlexandria Main University Hospital, Alexandria, Egypt.ORCID 0000-0003-4951-016X

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundPilonidal sinus disease (PSD) is a chronic condition that mainly affects young adults impairing the quality of life. Among several surgical options, flap reconstruction offers faster healing and lower recurrence. This randomized comparative study evaluated the keystone perforator island flap (KSF) versus the Limberg flap (LF) in PSD repair, focusing primarily on patient satisfaction depending on the flap type, alongside perioperative outcomes following PS excision as secondary outcomes.

methodsA total of 50 patients with simple PSD were randomized equally to undergo KSF or LF reconstruction after sinus excision. Operative data, complications, and recovery metrics were recorded. Patient satisfaction, the primary endpoint, was assessed at 6 months using a validated 5-point scale. Statistical analysis employed the t-test, chi-squared test, and multivariate linear regression to identify independent predictors of satisfaction (p < 0.05 significant).

resultsThe KSF group showed shorter operative time (54.9 ± 3.7 versus 73.4 ± 7.9 min, p < 0.001), faster wound healing (13.5 ± 3.1 versus 17.1 ± 3.5 days, p < 0.001), and earlier return to activity (6.8 ± 0.8 versus 8.5 ± 0.8 days, p < 0.001). Complications were lower (24% versus 56%, p = 0.02). Satisfaction was significantly higher with KSF (96% versus 72%, p = 0.046). Regression analysis identified wound-healing time (p = 0.008) and return to activity (p < 0.001) as the independent predictors of satisfaction.

conclusionThe KSF provides faster recovery, better comfort, and higher patient satisfaction than the LF. Functional recovery parameters, rather than flap type alone, are the strongest determinants of postoperative satisfaction.

Indexed as

Patient SatisfactionPerforator FlapPilonidal SinusPlastic Surgery ProceduresSurgical FlapsAdolescentAdultFemaleHumansMaleOperative TimeTreatment OutcomeWound HealingYoung AdultKeystone (KSF)Limberg flap (LF)Patient satisfactionPilonidal sinus

Identifiers

PMID42098544
PMCPMC13152908

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.