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Published on: February 10, 2026
A prospective randomized controlled trial of simple Bascom's technique versus Bascom's cleft closure for the
Ian M Nordon1, Asha Senapati, Neil P J Cripps
1Department of Colorectal Surgery, Queen Alexandra Hospital, Cosham, Portsmouth, UK. inordon@doctors.org.uk
Background:
The aim of this study was to determine which of Bascom's simple techniques, Bascom's simple surgery or Bascom's cleft closure, is preferred in the management of moderate-severity pilonidal disease.
Methods:
Fifty-five patients with chronic pilonidal disease were randomized to receive Bascom's simple surgery (n = 29) or cleft closure (n = 26) under local anesthetic. The primary end point was time to healing. Patients were followed up for a median of 3 years (range, .7-4 y).
Results:
After Bascom's simple surgery, 5 of 29 patients did not heal and proceeded to cleft closure. The remaining patients healed at a median of 4 weeks (range, 3-35 wk). After cleft closure, 21 of 26 wounds healed primarily on removal of sutures at 10 to 13 days. The remaining 5 wounds healed at a median of 4.5 weeks (range, 2-5 wk). Fifty of 55 (91%) patients were contacted for follow-up evaluation, disease recurrence occurred in 2 of 24 after Bascom's simple surgery and in 0 of 26 after cleft closure.
Conclusions:
Cleft closure offers more predictable healing than Bascom's simple surgery, with less need for re-operation. Disease recurrence is more prevalent after Bascom's simple surgery.