Karydakis operation for sacrococcygeal pilonidal sinus disease: experience in a district general hospital

Asymmetrical excision of sacrococcygeal pilonidal sinus has been shown to be associated with low recurrence rates. We report our experience with an asymmetric technique--the Karydakis operation. Of 28 patients who had the operation over a 4-year period, no recurrences were observed in 27 patients available for follow-up (median follow-up 3 years). Three patients had complications requiring surgical intervention. The operation is easy to teach and learn and is worth considering by both specialist and non-specialist surgeons.