title: A new approach: oblique excision and primary closure in the management of acute pilonidal disease.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare incision and drainage with oblique excision and primary closure in the treatment of pilonidal abscesses.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this prospective study, one of two surgeons at the same hospital performed incision and drainage as the treatment method for patients presenting with pilonidal abscesses. (Group A). The other surgeon performed oblique excision and primary closure (Group B). The rate of development of chronic pilonidal sinus and time to return to active work were assessed using the chi-square and Student's t-tests to compare the two methods of treatment. Of the 128 patients, incision and simple drainage was applied to 69 patients and primary closure was applied to 59 patients.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The rate of development of chronic pilonidal sinus was 78.8% in Group A and 6.0% in Group B (P < 0.001). In Group A, the average healing time and time to return to active work were 18 and 25 days, respectively. In Group B, these times were 22 and 27 days, respectively (P < 0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Oblique excision and primary closure may be a preferable treatment for acute pilonidal abscesses because of its low rate of chronic sinus development.
authors: Department of General Surgery, Istanbul Gelisim University Safa Hospital Yıldız Tepe Mahallesi, Bagcilar Cad., No: 108, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors: Fatih
authors: F
authors: Ciftci
authors: Department of Emergency, Istanbul Safa Hospital Yıldız Tepe Mahallesi, Bagcilar Cad., No: 108, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors: Ibrahim
authors: I
authors: Abdurrahman
authors: Department of General Surgery, Istanbul Gelisim University Safa Hospital Yıldız Tepe Mahallesi, Bagcilar Cad., No: 108, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors: Mirhan
authors: M
authors: Tosun
authors: Department of General Surgery, Istanbul Umraniye Education and Research Hospital Elmalı Kent Mahallesi, Umraniye, Istanbul 34764, Turkey.
authors: Gurhan
authors: G
authors: Bas
keywords: Pilonidal abscess; incision and drainage; oblique excision and primary closure