Surgical treatment of complicated pilonidal disease: limited separate elliptical excision with primary closure

We aimed at treating complicated pilonidal sinus (PS) patients by a simple and effective surgical procedure.

Between 2000 and 2004, 24 selected complicated PS patients were treated with 'limited separate elliptical excision and primary closure'. Patients with extensive or bilateral gluteal involvement, having more lateral, caudal or cephalic sinuses, multiple recurrences and unhealed chronic wounds after pilonidal surgery were included. Asymmetric excision and primary closure was performed to main diseased tissue in the midline. Additionally, small separate elliptical excisions with primary closure were performed in other involved tissues. The fistula tract or granulation tissue were excised subcutaneously if present. All patients were operated under local anaesthesia. The fascial attachments between the skin and coccyx were released at the deep point in the midline and at one side of wound. Suction drains and prophylactic antibiotics were used; subcutaneous tissues were closed with running polyglactin sutures and skin with polypropylene subcutaneously.

The mean age of patients was 28.4 years (range 18-38). The mean follow-up time was 2.8 years. One recurrence, one seroma, one wound infection and one wound breakdown were recorded. Healing was always by first intention except in patients with wound infection and breakdown.

Most of the complicated PS patients can be operated with acceptable rates of recurrences and complications by using 'limited separate elliptical excisions with primary closure'.