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.

Biology of chronic wounds and new treatment strategies.

Impaired wound healing is the result of the interplay between patient-related factors, wound-related factors, skill and knowledge of the healthcare professional and resources and treatment-related factors. The study of wound-related factors learns us that healing is a very complex biologic process. Both 'seed' (differentiated and stem cells) and 'soil' (e.