title: Excision and primary closure of pilonidal sinus disease: worthwhile option with an acceptable recurrence rate.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Treatment of pilonidal sinus disease is controversial. Many claim policy of marsupialisation and healing by secondary intention. This is demanding in terms of nursing care and time lost from work.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To examine outcome of excision and primary closure of chronic pilonidal disease on recurrence rate and patient's daily activities.
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred and fourteen consecutive elective patients who had excision and primary closure of pilonidal sinus disease were reviewed. The demographic data and the post-operative outcome were studied.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The recurrence of pilonidal sinus was noted in 9% of patients, wound breakdown occasioning delayed healing in 9%, patients able to drive by day 16 on average. The mean time to return to work was 20.5 days; duration of analgesia, 2.4 days; and duration of antibiotic treatment, 4.7 days.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Excision and primary closure of chronic pilonidal sinus has low recurrence rate with early return to activities. Primary closure appears to be a cost-effective option for uncomplicated pilonidal sinus disease.
authors.affiliation: Academic Centre RCSI, Connolly Hospital, Blanchardstown, Dublin 15, Ireland. drnadiagilani7@hotmail.com
authors.forename: S N S
authors.initials: SN
authors.lastname: Gilani
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Furlong
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Reichardt
authors.forename: A O
authors.initials: AO
authors.lastname: Nasr
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Theophilou
authors.forename: T N
authors.initials: TN
authors.lastname: Walsh
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010864:Pilonidal Sinus / Q000601:surgery*; D012008:Recurrence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013536:Suture Techniques; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult