Surgical treatment of sacrococcygeal pilonidal sinus disease by excision and skin flaps: the Toulouse experience.

OBJECTIVE

To compare various techniques for the treatment of pilonidal sinus.

DESIGN

Retrospective study

SETTING

University Hospital of Toulouse, France.

SUBJECTS: 246 consecutive patients who presented between 1979 and 1996. The male:female ratio was 2:1, and the mean age 26 years (range 18-69).

INTERVENTIONS: 218 one or two stage excision and rotation skin flaps, and 28 simple incisions.

RESULTS

16 sinuses recurred, and no flaps necrosed.

CONCLUSION

Excision and rotation skin flaps offers an effective and elegant alternative to the more classic operations for pilonidal sinus as it causes less postoperative pain and shortens convalescence.